ruling
Americannoun
adjective
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governing or dominating.
the ruling party.
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controlling; predominating.
the ruling factor in recovery from an illness.
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widespread; prevalent.
ruling prices; ruling values.
noun
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a decision of someone in authority, such as a judge
-
one or more parallel ruled lines
adjective
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controlling or exercising authority
the ruling classes
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prevalent or predominant
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of ruling
1175–1225; Middle English (gerund); see rule, -ing 1, -ing 2
Explanation
The official decision a judge makes is a ruling. You can also use this word as an adjective, to describe something or someone in charge, like a ruling political party. The group with political power in a country might be described as the ruling coalition, and the government itself could be called the ruling authority. When it's a noun, the word ruling has a legal meaning: it's the court's opinion. This definition dates from the 1550s, from the verb rule, from its Latin root regula, "straight stick or bar."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He and his father agreed the ruling was long overdue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
The Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents Rojas, welcomed the ruling, saying the state had failed to produce evidence supporting its claims and arguing the injunction should never have been granted.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
The president released a statement shortly after Friday's ruling saying he noted and "respects" the court's decision.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The court's original 2024 ruling ordering the payout to Roh cited a 30 billion won slush fund her ex-president father used to propel SK Group's growth.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
President Obama announced that he was “deeply disappointed” by the Supreme Court ruling.
From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman
For the next several decades, a wide range of cases across multiple states ended with varied rulings, as state laws were often vague regarding homeschooling’s legal status.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Sitting judges arguably have the best informed perspective on this Supreme Court: They must apply its jurisprudence, reconcile its contradictions, and confront the real-world effects of its rulings.
From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026
State law and court rulings require law enforcement agencies release the names of officers involved in on-duty shootings, except in cases of a proven threat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Chishti said the rulings signify that future presidents could continue to change immigration policies at their discretion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
The Court's rulings had become increasingly hostile to death row prisoners and less committed to the notion that "death is different," requiring more careful review.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
