Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Exercising power or authority: Having control or governance over others; being in a position of command or dominance.
   • Predominant, most influential: Being the most important or widespread factor in a situation.

2. Noun:

   • An official decision by a judge or court: The statement of the court's decision on a matter of law, as distinct from the judgment or verdict itself.
   • The act of governing: The exercise of authority or control.

Usage and Examples

• Adjective:

  • The ruling party won the election again. (The political party currently in power was re-elected.)
  • Fear was the ruling emotion in the room. (Fear was the strongest, most dominant feeling present.)

• Noun:

  • The judge's ruling on the evidence was crucial to the case. (The judge's official decision about what evidence could be used was very important.)
  • His wise ruling brought peace to the region. (His act of governing wisely resulted in peace.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ruling class": The social class that holds primary power and authority in a society.

  • The revolution aimed to overthrow the ruling class.

• "Ruling planet" (in astrology): The celestial body considered to have the strongest influence over a particular zodiac sign or house.

  • Mars is the ruling planet of Aries.

Variants and Related Words

• Rule (verb/noun): To exercise authority over; a prescribed guide for conduct or action.
• Ruler (noun): A person who rules; a measuring tool.
• Overruling (adjective/noun): The act of a superior court rejecting a prior legal decision.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Governing, dominant, prevailing, controlling, reigning.
• Noun: Decision, decree, verdict, judgment, pronouncement.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Await a ruling: To wait for an official decision from a court or authority.

  • The company is awaiting a ruling from the regulatory board.

• Ruling on the merits: A court's decision based on the fundamental facts and evidence of the case, rather than on procedural grounds.

  • The case was dismissed without a ruling on the merits.

Idioms

• A ruling passion: A person's most powerful and enduring motivation or interest.
  • For him, painting was not just a hobby but a ruling passion.

Adjective

1. exercising power or authority

Noun

1. the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)