: 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
Brendan Pierson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
The ruling, expected in June, could impact preventative care access for more than 150 million Americans.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Grant T. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2018
Third, personalism of security forces weakens the power of other groups that might otherwise constrain the leader, such as elites in the ruling political party and even generals who oppose a leader’s power grab.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruling
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
More: Donald Trump signs executive order requiring proof of citizenship in federal elections
The ruling came in response to lawsuits by groups including the Democratic National Committee, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the League of Women's Education Fund.
—Brendan Pierson, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
The ruling, expected in June, could impact preventative care access for more than 150 million Americans.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The Chinese Communist Party holds regular exchanges with numerous ruling African political parties.
—Grant T. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2018
Third, personalism of security forces weakens the power of other groups that might otherwise constrain the leader, such as elites in the ruling political party and even generals who oppose a leader’s power grab.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 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 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share