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

In her ruling Monday, Snyder blocked only the ban on masking by federal agents, and on seemingly narrow grounds. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

The university added a statement following the court’s ruling, per Yahoo Sports. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

Adjective

This vibe continues to be brought to you courtesy of your co-ruling planet, rebellious Uranus, moving into your fifth house of self-expression on April 25, empowering you to lean fully into your penchant for unconventionality and incorporating the element of surprise in your personal style. —Maressa Brown, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

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

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