: 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
Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 23 June 2025
Under Iran's constitution, the Supreme Leader must be a male Shiite cleric known for piety, political wisdom, and jurisprudential authority—typically a Mujtahid, recognized by peers as qualified to issue religious rulings.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
His ruling Fidesz party has said the Pride march could be considered harmful to children and that protecting them would supersede the right to assemble.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruling
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Noun
Among the biggest developments was a ruling against language to prevent immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents from receiving food assistance in accordance with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often referred to as food stamps.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 23 June 2025
Under Iran's constitution, the Supreme Leader must be a male Shiite cleric known for piety, political wisdom, and jurisprudential authority—typically a Mujtahid, recognized by peers as qualified to issue religious rulings.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Adjective
But opponents saw the move as an attempt by López Obrador to strengthen the power of his ruling Morena party by overhauling the very judiciary that often blocked some of his policy proposals.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
His ruling Fidesz party has said the Pride march could be considered harmful to children and that protecting them would supersede the right to assemble.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 May 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 29 Jun. 2025.
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