Definition

1. Noun:
   • A standard or pattern of behavior that is typical or expected within a specific social group or context: A "norm" is a shared expectation or rule that guides and regulates the behavior of members of a society, community, or group.
   • A standard, model, or pattern regarded as typical for a particular group or situation: It refers to what is considered usual, average, or representative.
   • A statistic describing the location of a distribution (technical usage): In mathematics and statistics, a "norm" is a function that assigns a strictly positive length or size to each vector in a vector space, except for the zero vector.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Social norms dictate appropriate behavior in public. (Social norms dictate appropriate behavior in public.)
  • The statistical norm for the test score was 75 percent. (The statistical norm for the test score was 75 percent.)
  • It set the norm for American homes. (It set the norm for American homes.)
  • The current middle-class norm of two children per family is changing. (The current middle-class norm of two children per family is changing.)

Advanced Usage

• "To establish/set a norm": to create or define what becomes the standard.
  • The company's policy helped establish a new industry norm.
• "To deviate from/violate a norm": to act in a way that is different from or breaks the accepted standard.
  • His behavior clearly deviated from social norms.
• "Statistical norm": the average or typical value in a set of data.
  • The results were analyzed to determine the statistical norm.

Variants and Related Words

• Normal (adjective): Conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.
  • It is normal to feel nervous before a speech.
• Normality (noun): The condition of being normal; the state of being usual, typical, or expected.
  • After the crisis, people longed for a return to normality.
• Normalize (verb): To make something conform to a standard; to cause something to become normal.
  • The treaty helped normalize relations between the two countries.

Synonyms

• Standard: A level of quality or attainment used as a measure, model, or example.
• Convention: A way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity.
• Custom: A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time.
• Average: A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data.

Related Phrases

• Social norm: An understood rule for accepted and expected behavior within a society.
  • Greeting someone with a handshake is a social norm in many cultures.
• Cultural norm: A pattern of behavior typical of a specific cultural group.
  • In some countries, it is a cultural norm to remove your shoes before entering a home.
• Group norm: A standard of behavior shared by members of a specific group.
  • The team developed its own group norms for communication.

Related Idioms

• "The norm": What is standard, usual, or expected.
  • Working from home has become the norm for many people.
• "Against the norm": Contrary to what is typical or standard.
  • Her decision to travel alone was against the norm for women of her time.

Noun

1. a statistic describing the location of a distribution
   • it set the norm for American homes
2. a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical
   • the current middle-class norm of two children per family