- 1the norm [singular] a situation or a pattern of behavior that is usual or expected synonym rule a departure from the norm Older parents seem to be the norm rather than the exception nowadays.
- 2norms [plural] standards of behavior that are typical of or accepted within a particular group or society social/cultural norms She considered people to be products of the values and norms of the society they lived in.
- 3[countable] a required or agreed standard, amount, etc. detailed education norms for children of particular ages The government claims that background radioactivity is well below international norms.
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