What does ruling mean?
Ruling has two especially common uses. As a noun, it refers to an authoritative decision, most often one made by a judge or court, as in a final or appellate ruling. Such decisions may interpret a law, resolve a dispute, or determine the outcome of a case. As an adjective, ruling describes the person or body that has the power to govern or make decisions, such as a ruling party or the ruling government. The word can also mean dominant or chiefly influential within a field or period. It is especially useful when discussing law, politics, authority, and power, where it distinguishes between the institution or person that holds power and the particular decisions that institution issues. Although ruling can sound formal in general conversation, it is especially common in legal, governmental, and political reporting.
Having the power to govern, decide, or determine matters; dominant or chiefly influential.
"The ruling party won a majority in the election."
Common in political, institutional, and cultural contexts; it can describe a governing authority or the dominant group or force in a particular sphere.
An authoritative decision, especially a decision made by a judge or court.
"The appeal court upheld the original ruling."
Most often used for a judicial decision, but it can also refer to a formal decision by another authority.
The plural is used when referring to multiple decisions or determinations.
"The judge issued several rulings on procedural questions."
A ruling can settle a dispute, but it can also become the decision that shapes everyone else's rules.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ruling come from?
Ruling developed from the English verb rule, which comes through Old French rolle from the Latin regula, meaning “rule” or “straight line.” The addition of -ing first expressed an action or process and later came to be used as an adjective for something exercising authority. The noun sense, meaning a decision or determination, developed from the idea of someone ruling or determining a matter.
Related word forms
How ruling is actually used
In legal and political contexts, ruling is formal and usually means current authority or a binding decision. As a noun, it is often used with court, judge, appeal, final, or preliminary; as an adjective, it commonly occurs in phrases such as ruling party, ruling body, and ruling ideology.
Easily confused with ruling
A rule is a governing principle or regulation, whereas a ruling is a particular authoritative decision, especially one issued by a court.