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

the ruling prices

Synonyms of ruling

Noun

• sentence
• verdict
• finding
• decision
• judgment
• opinion

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

While the committee can make recommendations, no health system is bound by its rulings. —Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025

The vote to dissolve the party came a day before judges are set to deliver a ruling in the national security trial of Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. —Ben Smith, semafor.com, 15 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Machado recounted a teacher who convinced her local ruling-party captain to support the opposition after her son, living in Peru, urged her to vote for change. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

Mali’s ruling junta responded to an al-Qaida affiliate’s fuel blockade by shuttering all schools until mid-November, the latest sign of instability in the West African country. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 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