English edit

Etymology edit

rule +‎ bound

Adjective edit

rulebound (comparative more rulebound, superlative most rulebound)

  1. Bound by rules; rigidly uncompromising.
    • 2007 January 6, Virginia Heffernan, “Hey, Young Writers, That’s Mr. Rolling Stone to You”, in New York Times[1]:
      Reality television is pretty rulebound, and it works by upsets.