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

• sentence
• verdict
• judgment
• decision
• judgement

Adjective

• prevailing
• general
• public
• overall
• popular
• unanimous
• majority

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

However, that lifeline is likely temporary: A recent Supreme Court ruling that limited nationwide injunctions could affect the outcome of the Job Corps case and, in turn, the program’s operations. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 July 2025

But the ruling halted enough of the regulations for Planned Parenthood to begin offering procedural abortions again. —arkansasonline.com, 5 July 2025

Adjective

No doubt its ruling political party is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but the name no longer fits the ideology. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025

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

Rhymes for ruling

• cooling
• drooling
• dueling
• duelling
• fooling
• fueling
• fuelling
• gruelling
• pooling
• schooling
• spooling
• tooling

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