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

Synonyms

Noun

• doom
• finding
• holding
• judgment
• judgement
• sentence

Adjective

• common
• general
• majority
• overall
• popular
• prevailing
• public
• received
• vulgar

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 ruling also criticized the NYPD’s later argument, that a request for the documents was burdensome. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

This ruling highlights the legal challenges posed by the integration of AI in creative fields. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The military appeals court released its ruling Monday night, according to the U.S. official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Jan. 2025

The Mexican government is desperate to find new revenue sources as the ruling Morena party is running enormous budget deficits. —Rachel Dobkin, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

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

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