plain meaning rule

noun

One of three rules of statutory construction traditionally applied by English courts, which dictates that statutes are to be interpreted using the ordinary meaning of the language of the statute.

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Meanings

nounplain meaning rule (plural plain meaning rules)

plural plain meaning rules

  1. EnglandWaleslawOne of three rules of statutory construction traditionally applied by English courts, which dictates that statutes are to be interpreted using the ordinary meaning of the language of the statute.
Cite this entry
APA

plain meaning rule. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20meaning%20rule

MLA

“plain meaning rule.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20meaning%20rule. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “plain meaning rule,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plain%20meaning%20rule.

Source: plain meaning rule on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.