ruling

1 of 3

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 3

adjective

1

a

: exerting power or authority

the ruling party

b

: chief, predominating

a ruling passion

2

: generally prevailing

the ruling prices

ruling

3 of 3

present participle of rule entry 2

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

The 2022 ruling came after the defense motioned in 2020 to have Toshpuldzoda evaluated for mental health issues. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026

The conviction was a rare case of a military court ruling against a soldier for deadly action taken in the field. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Adjective

This was demonstrated in Hungary in April, when opposition leader Péter Magyar convincingly won an election against a long-ruling, right-wing authoritarian. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Sep. 2026

The event was attended by senior figures from the ruling Socialist Party, including Nahum Fernández and Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez, according to information released by Maduro Guerra. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

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