norm

noun \ˈnȯrm\

norms : standards of proper or acceptable behavior

the norm : an average level of development or achievement

the norm : something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual or expected

Full Definition of NORM

: an authoritative standard : model

: a principle of right action binding upon the members of a group and serving to guide, control, or regulate proper and acceptable behavior

: average: as

a : a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median achievement of a large group

b : a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group

c : a widespread or usual practice, procedure, or custom <standing ovations became the norm>

a : a real-valued nonnegative function defined on a vector space with value analogous to length and satisfying the conditions that the function is zero if and only if the vector is zero, the function of the product of a scalar and a vector is equal to the product of the absolute value of the scalar and the function of the vector, and the function of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of the functions of the two vectors; specifically : the square root of the sum of the squares of the absolute values of the elements of a matrix or of the components of a vector

b : the greatest distance between two successive points of a set of points that partition an interval into smaller intervals

See norm defined for English-language learners

See norm defined for kids

Origin of NORM

Latin norma, literally, carpenter's square

First Known Use: 1674

Related to NORM

Synonyms: average, normal, par, standard

Synonym Discussion of NORM

average, mean, median, norm mean something that represents a middle point. average is the quotient obtained by dividing the sum total of a set of figures by the number of figures <scored an average of 85 on tests>. mean may be the simple average or it may represent value midway between two extremes <a high of 70° and a low of 50° give a mean of 60°>. median applies to the value that represents the point at which there are as many instances above as there are below <average of a group of persons earning 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10 dollars an hour is 6 dollars, whereas the median is 5 dollars>. norm means the average of performance of a significantly large group, class, or grade <scores about the norm for fifth grade arithmetic>.

Rhymes with NORM

corm, dorm, form, storm, swarm, warm

NORM Defined for Kids

norm

noun \ˈnȯrm\

Definition of NORM for Kids

: ¹average 2

: a common practice

Medical Dictionary

norm

noun \ˈnȯ(ə)rm\

Medical Definition of NORM

: an established standard or average: as a : a set standard of development or achievement usually derived from the average or median achievement of a large group b : a pattern or trait taken to be typical in the behavior of a social group