: an official or authoritative decision, decree, statement, or interpretation (as by a judge on a point of law)
1
a
: exerting power or authority
the ruling party
b
: chief, predominating
a ruling passion
2
: generally prevailing
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
Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 15 July 2025
If Bell grants the teams a TRO, NASCAR will appeal the ruling to the Fourth Circuit and hope for another win at the appellate court.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ruling
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Noun
Many experts said the ruling could harm the country's most vulnerable children.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 15 July 2025
If Bell grants the teams a TRO, NASCAR will appeal the ruling to the Fourth Circuit and hope for another win at the appellate court.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
Critics argue the measures target urban, educated, and affluent voters who may not support the ruling Fidesz party.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ruling
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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