1. (law) the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
   "The judge's ruling cited precedent from similar cases";
   - opinion
    
2. An order or decision from someone in authority
   "The court's ruling overturned the previous verdict"

1. Exercising power or authority
   "The date of accession of each of the four members of the ruling dynasty was found";
   - regnant, reigning

1. Decide with authority
   "The King ruled that all firstborn males should be killed";
   - decree
    
2. Exercise authority over; as of nations
   "Who is ruling the country now?";
   - govern
    
3. Decide on and make a declaration about
   "rule someone guilty";
   - find
    
4. Keep in check
   "rule one's temper";
   - harness, rein
    
5. Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
   "Hispanics rule in this neighbourhood";
   - predominate, dominate, reign, prevail
    
6. Be exceptionally good or the best
   "When it comes to baking, my grandmother rules";
   - excel, stand out, surpass
    
7. [informal] Be excellent, outstanding, or impressive; to perform exceptionally well
   "Your homemade pizza rules!";
   - rock [informal], kick ass [N. Amer, informal], slay [informal]
    
8. Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
   "Aries rules the head in astrology"
    
9. Mark or draw with a ruler
   "rule the margins"

Derived forms: rulings

See also: powerful

Type of: accompany, attach to, come with, command, control, decide, determine, differ, draw, go with, hold back, interact, judge, judgement, judgment, judicial decision, keep, keep back, label, make up one's mind, pronounce, restrain

Encyclopedia: Ruling