ruling

1 of 2

noun

rul·​ing ˈrü-liŋ 

: an official or authoritative decision, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a point of law)

ruling

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: exerting power or authority

the ruling party

b

: chief, predominating

a ruling passion

2

: generally prevailing

Synonyms

Noun

• doom
• finding
• holding
• judgment
• judgement
• sentence

Adjective

• common
• general
• majority
• overall
• popular
• prevailing
• public
• received
• vulgar

Examples of ruling in a Sentence

Noun

The decision overturns the Supreme Court's earlier ruling.

She disputed the referee's ruling.

Adjective

members of the ruling class

the ruling opinion on premarital sex

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The upshot of that ruling was that Americans are within their rights to consume foreign propaganda. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 May 2024

In that ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, the justices laid out a new standard which says gun laws must fit with the nation's history and tradition of firearms regulation to pass constitutional muster. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ruling

• self-ruling

Kids Definition

ruling

noun

rul·​ing

ˈrü-liŋ

: an official decision (as by a judge)

Legal Definition

ruling

noun

rul·​ing

: an official or authoritative determination, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a question of law)

followed a previous ruling on the same question

see also revenue ruling compare decision, disposition, finding, holding, judgment, opinion, verdict