ruler

[roo-ler]

noun

1. a person who rules or governs; sovereign.

2. Also a strip of wood, metal, or other material having a straight edge and usually marked off in inches or centimeters, used for drawing lines, measuring, etc.

3. a person or thing that rules paper, wood, etc.

4. Astrology.,  the planet primarily associated with any sign of the zodiac or any house of the horoscope.

   The ruler of Aries is Mars. The ruler of Taurus is Venus.

ruler

/ ˈruːlə /

noun

1. a person who rules or commands

2. Also called: rule. a strip of wood, metal, or other material, having straight edges graduated usually in millimetres or inches, used for measuring and drawing straight lines

Other Word Forms

• subruler noun
• underruler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruler¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; rule, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Thus the British, who had been such enthusiastic slavers, went on to force Muslim rulers to end their own version of the practice.

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Anyone presenting information not approved by the ruler is denounced and belittled, ostracized and denied access.

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It is a hallmark tactic of authoritarian rulers seeking to consolidate power.

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Article 12 refers to a revelation written by Joseph Smith, stating, “we believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”

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By the 19th century, it was being attacked and humiliated by European powers that had become rulers of the seas.

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Related Words

• czar 
• emperor 
• king 
• monarch 
• shah 
• sultan