ruling

ruling — adjective

IPA/ˈruː.lɪŋ/
KK[rˈulɪŋ]IPA/ˈruː.lɪŋ/
  • rulingpositive
  • more rulingcomparative
  • most rulingsuperlative

1. currently in charge of a country, organization, or other group, and responsible

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

currently in charge of a country, organization, or other group, and responsible for making the main decisions about how it operates.

Example

The ruling party has promised to build more schools across the region.

attributive use: ruling + party / government / group

Several newspaper articles criticised the ruling class for ignoring the needs of the poor.

Common collocations
  • ruling party
  • ruling class
  • ruling council
  • ruling body
  • ruling dynasty
  • ruling elite
Synonyms
  • governing

    very similar in meaning; 'governing' can also be used after linking verbs (e.g. 'the party in government')

  • incumbent

    more formal, refers specifically to the current office holder; 'the incumbent president' vs 'the ruling party'

  • dominant

    broader — can describe social or cultural influence, not just political control

Antonyms
  • opposition

    refers to political parties not in power; 'the opposition party'

Grammar Patterns

ruling + noun

Usage Note

Only used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb: ❌ 'The party is ruling.' ✅ 'The ruling party.'

Common Mistakes

The government is ruling over the country.' (when meaning 'currently in charge').
The ruling government has introduced new education policies.
As an adjective, 'ruling' is attributive; do not use it with a linking verb.

ruling — noun

IPA/ˈruːlɪŋ/
KK[rˈulɪŋ]IPA/ˈruːlɪŋ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a conclusion reached after deliberation, but they differ in context and scope. 'Ruling' is the most specific to courts and official bodies — it is the authoritative statement that resolves a dispute or addresses a legal question. 'Decision' is the broadest term and can be used in any situation (a personal decision, a business decision, etc.). 'Judgment' is the formal term for a court's final determination after a trial, often interchangeable with 'ruling' in legal settings but slightly more formal. 'Verdict' is narrower: it refers only to the jury's finding of guilty or not guilty in a criminal trial. For example: 'The judge's ruling allowed the case to proceed.' / 'The jury's verdict was not guilty.' / 'The court's judgment was in favour of the plaintiff.' / 'Her decision to change careers had nothing to do with the legal system.'

decision ↗judgment ↗verdict ↗ruling ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • issue a ruling
  • hand down a ruling
  • challenge a ruling
  • comply with a ruling

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'ruling' comes from the verb 'rule', which entered English via Old French 'riuler' from Latin 'regulare' meaning 'to guide, direct, or control'. Latin 'regulare' itself comes from 'regula' meaning 'a straight stick, a rule'. The noun sense of a judicial decision developed in the mid-1500s, while the adjective meaning 'in power' became common in the 1600s.