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 ruling Thursday means that the charges in New York will go back to square one. —Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024

Weinstein’s legal team lauded the court’s ruling at a news conference in Manhattan. —Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 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