ruling

[ roo-ling ]

noun

1. an authoritative decision, as one by a judge on a debated point of law.
2. the act of drawing straight lines with a ruler.
3. ruled lines.

adjective

1. governing or dominating:

   the ruling party.

2. controlling; predominating:

   the ruling factor in recovery from an illness.

3. widespread; prevalent:

   ruling prices; ruling values.

ruling

/ ˈruːlɪŋ /

noun

1. a decision of someone in authority, such as a judge
2. one or more parallel ruled lines

adjective

1. controlling or exercising authority

   the ruling classes

2. prevalent or predominant

Other Words From

• non·ruling noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruling¹

1175–1225; Middle English (gerund); rule, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Brendan Johnson, a lawyer who represents South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the group that put the measure on the ballot, told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that he planned to appeal the ruling to state Supreme Court.

From Washington Post

Included within the decision, was a ruling that for all new Android devices, Google must offer users a choice in their default search engine.

From Search Engine Watch

This weekend, Xiaomi posted a response to the ruling, which came in the form of legal complaints to the US Defense and Treasury Departments.

From Ars Technica

Based on the ruling, two schools — Coolidge High and Watkins Elementary — will probably have to delay their reopenings and schedule new walk-throughs.

From Washington Post

The state’s 4th District Court of Appeal on Friday overturned a San Diego Superior Court judge’s ruling that had allowed restaurants to open for in-person dining in defiance of the state’s stay-at-home order.

From Voice of San Diego

The WHO has agreed to meet with Yang and a number of Chinese NGOs to discuss a broader ruling on the practice.

From The Daily Beast

That ruling is binding law in the United States, no matter what the former vice president says.

From The Daily Beast

The constitutional problem with this ruling, experts say, is that it places an extra burden on women for being pregnant.

From The Daily Beast

“It is well established that a fetus is not a ‘person’; rather it is a sui generis organism,” the ruling stated.

From The Daily Beast

That ruling was affirmed in a final judgment by the Afghan courts, which the Afghan Supreme Court confirmed in 2013.

From The Daily Beast

And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only did she fully intend Hartledon House to be her home, but she meant to be its one ruling power.

From Project Gutenberg

In the political sphere he was the soul of the insurgent movement, the ruling power behind the presidency of Aguinaldo.

From Project Gutenberg

The ruling passion of the brother-in-law was a stern and acrimonious party spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

Jessie recalled all the strange stories she had heard of the ruling house of Asturia, of its intrigues and fiery conspiracies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dominant