ruling

1 of 2

noun

rul·​ing ˈrü-liŋ How to pronounce ruling (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In exchange for a deal allowing smoother trade in food products, Britain could agree to align its standards with Europe, change relevant laws when Brussels does and accept rulings from the European Court of Justice, the bloc’s top legal authority. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Of 276 opinions in which there was a ruling on the first factor, there were only five where that did not align with the outcome. Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Adjective
The governor and her husband are both members of the ruling Morena party. Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 12 May 2025 The Chinese Communist Party holds regular exchanges with numerous ruling African political parties. Grant T. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2018 See All Example Sentences for ruling

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruling was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ruling

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