norm

Universal Words noun 1 (often the norm) [sing.] a situation or a pattern of behaviour that is usual or expected: a deviation / departure from the norm * Single parents seem to be the norm rather than the exception nowadays. 2 (norms) [pl.] standards of behaviour 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 [C] 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.