: 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
Synonyms
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
Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025
But in July 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that granted Trump substantial immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office, and the case was sent back to the trial court to determine whether any of the charges could go forward.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for ruling 
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Noun
The judge’s ruling noted that the three firms controlled closer to three-fourths of the market for NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football games and barred them from launching Venu.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025
But in July 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that granted Trump substantial immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office, and the case was sent back to the trial court to determine whether any of the charges could go forward.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 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
See all Example Sentences for ruling
Dictionary Entries Near ruling
Cite this Entry
“Ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruling. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
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