ruling Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
    opinion.
  2. verb exercise authority over; as of nations
    rule; govern.
    • Who is governing the country now?
  3. verb decide with authority
    decree; rule.
    • The King decreed that all firstborn males should be killed
  4. verb be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
    dominate; prevail; reign; rule; predominate.
    • Money reigns supreme here
    • Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
  5. verb decide on and make a declaration about
    find; rule.
    • find someone guilty
  6. verb have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
    rule.
  7. verb mark or draw with a ruler
    rule.
    • rule the margins
  8. verb keep in check
    rein; harness; rule.
    • rule one's temper
  9. adjective satellite exercising power or authority
    regnant; reigning.

WordNet

Rul"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Predominant; chief; reigning; controlling; as, a ruling passion; a ruling sovereign.
  2. Used in marking or engraving lines; as, a ruling machine or pen. Syn. -- Predominant; chief; controlling; directing; guilding; governing; prevailing; prevalent.
Rul"ing noun
Definitions
  1. The act of one who rules; ruled lines.
  2. (Law) A decision or rule of a judge or a court, especially an oral decision, as in excluding evidence.

Webster 1913