ruling1 nounruling2 adjective
rulingrul‧ing1 /ˈruːlɪŋ/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Case law has shown that court rulings on these kind of scenarios have resulted in arbitrary decisions.
- I have already given my ruling on that and said exactly what the hon. Member should do about it.
- I have no wish to question your ruling.
- On Tuesday, Hastings will decide whether to adopt procedural rulings made by the Sonoma County judge.
- The ruling requires that driftnet fishing be reduced by half by July this year, and cease altogether by December.
- The first collection of Innocent's own decretals, or legal rulings, was that by Rainer of Pomposa.
WORD SETS
access, nounacquit, verbacquittal, nounactionable, adjectiveact of God, nounadjourn, verbadminister, verbadmissible, adjectiveADR, nounadversarial, adjectiveadvocate, nounaffidavit, nounage, nounaggrieved, adjectiveagreement, nounannual return, anti-dumping, adjectiveantitrust, adjectiveAppeal Court, nounappear, verbappellate court, nounarraign, verbarticled clerk, articles of association, nounassignee, nounassizes, nounattachment, nounattest, verbattorney, nounattorney-at-law, nounattorney general, nounaverage clause, bailable, adjectivebailee, nounbailiff, nounbailment, nounban, nounbarrister, nounbeneficial owner, beneficiary, nounbequeath, verbbequest, nounbest efforts, adjectivebid-rigging, nounbill, nounbill of rights, nounblue law, nounbody corporate, bond, nounbook, verbbox, nounbreakdown clause, break fee, brief, nounbroker's lien, burden of proof, nounbusiness entity, buyer's risk, bylaw, nouncabotage, nouncadastre, nouncase, nouncase law, nouncash shell, nouncause, nouncause célèbre, nouncause of action, nouncaution, nouncaution, verbcertificate of incorporation, nouncertificate of protest, nouncertificate of search, nounchain of title, nounchallenge, nounchallenge, verbchancery, nounChapter 7, nouncharge, nouncharge, verbcharges register, chief justice, nouncircuit court, nouncite, verbcitizen's arrest, nouncivil, adjectivecivil law, nounclaim, nounclaimant, nounclass action, nounclause, nounclean, adjectivecloud on title, nouncollusion, nouncommerce clause, committal, nouncommon law, nouncommunity property, nounCommunity Reinvestment Act, nouncommutation, nounCompanies House, nouncompanies registry, company limited by guarantee, nouncompany limited by shares, nouncompany officer, competence, nouncompetent, adjectivecomplainant, nouncompletion, nouncompletion date, compliance officer, compulsory purchase, nounconditional discharge, nouncondition precedent, nouncondition subsequent, nounconduct money, confidentiality clause, confirmation hearing, conflict of laws, nounconjugal, adjectiveconsensus ad idem, nounconsent decree, consenting adult, nounconservator, nounconstituted, adjectiveconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nouncontempt, nouncontest, verbcontingency fee, contract of insurance, nouncontract of purchase, nouncontract of service, nouncontravene, verbcontravention, nouncontributory negligence, nounconvey, verbconveyance, nounconveyancing, nounconvict, verbconviction, nouncopyright, nounco-respondent, nouncosignatory, nouncounsel, nouncounty court, nouncourthouse, nouncourt-martial, nouncourt-martial, verbCourt of Appeal, nounCourt of Appeals, nouncourt of inquiry, nouncourt of law, nounCourt of Queen's Bench, nouncourt order, nouncourt reporter, nouncourtroom, nouncramdown, nouncriminal, adjectivecriminal injury, criminalize, verbcriminal law, nouncross-examine, verbCrown Court, nouncurfew, nouncustodial, adjectiveD.A., noundata protection, death sentence, noundeath warrant, noundeclaration of association, noundecree, noundecree absolute, noundecree nisi, noundecriminalize, verbdeed, noundeed of conveyance, noundefalcation, noundefend, verbdefendant, noundeficiency judgment, noundeficiency judgment, de jure, adjectivedeposition, noundeputy, nounderivative lease, desertion, noundiminished responsibility, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirectors register, disabled quota, disbar, verbdischarge of contract, noundisclaim, verbdisclaimer, noundiscretionary, adjectivedisinherit, verbdismiss, verbdispense, verbdisposition, noundispossess, verbdissent, noundissolution, noundistrain, verbdistrict attorney, noundistrict court, noundivorce, noundivorce, verbdivorced, adjectivedocket, noundonee, noundouble jeopardy, noundraftsman, noundrink-driving, noundrunk driving, noundue process, nounduress, nouneasement, nounedict, nouneffective, adjectiveeminent domain, nounempower, verbenabling, adjectiveenabling clause, enact, verbendowment, nounenforced, adjectiveenjoin, verbescape clause, escrow, nounescrow agent, estate, nounestoppel, nounevidence, nounexamination, nounexamination-in-chief, nounexamine, verbexculpate, verbexecute, verbexecutor, nounexecutrix, nounexhibit, nounexpectations, nounex post facto law, nounexpropriate, verbextradite, verbextrajudicial, adjectivefair dealing, false representation, nounfee absolute, nounfiduciary, nounfiduciary, adjectivefinding, nounfirm name, nounfixtures and fittings, nounforce majeure, nounforeman, nounforewoman, nounfreeholder, nounfree pardon, nounfrustration of contract, fugitive, nounfugitive, adjectivegagging order, gag order, noungarnishee, verbgarnishee, noungeneral counsel, noungeneral practice, noungive, verbgrand jury, noungrantee, noungrantor, noungreen paper, noungross misconduct, ground rent, nounguarantee, verbguarantor, nounguaranty, nounguillotine, verbguilt, noungun control, nounhabeas corpus, nounHague Rules, nounhear, verbhearing, nounheir, nounheir apparent, nounhereafter, adverbhereditament, nounhereinafter, adverbhereof, adverbhereto, adverbheritable, adjectiveHigh Court, nounHighway Code, nounhirer, nounhuman right, nounimplied term, inadmissible, adjectiveinalienable, adjectiveincriminate, verbindemnify, verbindemnity, nounindict, verbindictable, adjectiveindictment, nounindustrial tribunal, nouninitiative, nouninjunction, nounin loco parentis, adverbinnocence, nouninnocent, adjectiveinoperative, adjectiveinquest, nouninsanity, nouninstruct, verbintellectual property, nounintent, nouninterdict, nouninterlocutory injunction, invoke, verbJane Doe, nounjob quota, joint and several liability, JP, nounjudge, nounjudge, verbjudicial, adjectivejuridical, adjectivejurisdiction, nounjurisprudence, nounjurist, nounjuror, nounjury, nounjury box, nounjury service, nounjustice, nounJustice of the Peace, nounjustifiable homicide, nounjuvenile, adjectivekangaroo court, nounKing's Counsel, nounlaw firm, nounlawyer, nounlease, nounleasehold, adjectiveleaseholder, nounlegatee, nounlegator, nounlessee, nounlessor, nounletters of administration, nounliable, adjectivelicensee, nounlien, nounlienee, nounlienor, nounlimited liability, nounliquidated damages, litigant, nounlitigate, verblitigation, nounlitigator, nounlitigious, adjectiveliving will, nounloophole, nounmagisterial, adjectivemagistracy, nounmagistrate, nounMagistrates' Court, nounmaintenance, nounmajority, nounmalfeasance, nounmalpractice, nounmarriage certificate, nounmarriage licence, nounmarriage lines, nounmaterial, adjectivematerial fact, nounmemorandum, nounmiscarriage of justice, nounmisdirect, verbmisfeasance, nounmisstatement, nounmistrial, nounM'lord, nounM'lud, nounmoiety, nounmonies, nounmoot court, nounmoratorium, nounmovable, nounno-fault, adjectivenolo contendere, nounnonfeasance, nounnon-negotiable, adjectivenotary, nounnuisance, nounnullify, verbnullity, nounoath, nounopen-and-shut case, nounopen verdict, nounoperative mistake, nounordinance, nounoriginating application, originating summons, outlaw, nounout-of-court settlement, nounoyez, interjectionpalimony, nounpanel, nounparalegal, nounpardon, verbpardon, nounparty, nounpass, verbpassage, nounpatent, nounpatent, adjectivepaternity, nounpaternity suit, nounpatrimony, nounpenal code, nounpenalty, nounperformance contract, perjury, nounpersonal injury, personal representative, personalty, nounpetition, nounpetition, verbpetitioner, nounplaintiff, nounplanning permission, nounplea bargaining, nounpleadings, nounpledgee, nounpolice, verbpositive discrimination, nounpower of attorney, nounprecedent, nounprejudice, verbpreservation order, nounpresume, verbprice-fixing, nounprima facie, adjectiveprimary residence, prime tenant, primogeniture, nounprivate law, nounprivileged, adjectiveprivity, nounprobate, nounprobate, verbprobation, nounprobationer, nounprobation officer, nounpro bono, adjectiveprocedural, adjectiveproceeding, nounproceedings, nounprohibit, verbprohibition, nounprohibitive, adjectivepromulgate, verbpronounce, verbproposition, nounproscribe, verbprosecute, verbprosecution, nounprosecutor, nounprotective custody, nounprove, verbprovision, nounprovisional licence, nounproximate cause, nounpublic defender, nounpublic prosecutor, nounpublic service vehicle, punishable, adjectiveQC, nounquarter sessions, nounquash, verbQueen's Counsel, nounreal property, nounrecess, nounrecess, verbrecognition, nounrecognizance, nounrecorder, nounreeve, nounregulation, nounremand, verbremand, nounrepeal, verbrescind, verbrespondent, nounrestoration, nounrestore, verbretainer, nounretrial, nounretroactive, adjectiveretrospective, adjectiveretry, verbreversion, nounrevocation, nounrevoke, verbRex, nounright of appeal, nounroad tax, nounroot of title, royalty payment, rule, verbruling, nounsaid, adjectivesalami slicing, nounSarbanes-Oxley Act, nounscheme of arrangement, nounsentence, nounsentence, verbsequester, verbsession, nounsettlement date, settlement terms, shall, modal verbshell company, sheriff, nounsheriff court, nounshow trial, nounsitting tenant, nounsmall claims court, nounsolicitor, nounsolicitor general, nounSOX, nounspecial licence, nounspecific performance, speed limit, nounstakeholder, nounstate attorney, nounstate court, nounstated case, statute, nounstatute law, nounstatute of limitations, nounstatutory, adjectivestatutory report, stay, nounstay of execution, nounstipendiary magistrate, nounstoppage in transit, nounsub judice, adverbsubmission, nounsuborn, verbsubpoena, nounsubpoena, verbsue, verbsuit, nounsumming up, nounsumming-up, nounsummons, nounsummons, verbSupreme Court, nounsurety, nounsuspended sentence, nounswear, verbtechnicality, nountenant at sufferance, nountenant at will, nountenant for years, nountenant in common, nountenure, nountestament, nountestator, nountest case, nountest certificate, nountestify, verbtestimony, nounthereinafter, adverbthird party, nounthrough, prepositionticket, nounticket, verbtitle, nountitle deed, nountitle holder, nountort, nountradename, nounTrading Standards, treasure trove, nountrespass, verbtrespass, nountrial, nountrust for sale, nounultra vires, adjectiveunderwriting power, undue influence, noununlicensed, adjectiveuphold, verbverdict, nounvindicate, verbvisa, nounvoucher, nounward, nounwarrant, nounwhereas, conjunctionwill, nounwill, verbwinding up, nounwitness, nounwitness, verbwitness box, nounwrit, nounwrongful termination,
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a struggle for power within the ruling elite
(=the people in power)· For a long time, French was the language of the ruling class.
· The March elections may weaken the ruling coalition.
(=an official decision)· The company appealed against the court ruling.
a struggle for power within the ruling elite (=the party in power)· The ruling party’s level of support grew throughout the year.
· The Supreme Court reversed the decision.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· But one of two new rulings deemed experimental for one season, is dividing the rugby world.· The Service can, and has, offset certain undesirable Commission-inspired legislation with new rulings of its own.· However, the new ruling will be relevant only when the court is satisfied that the law is ambiguous or obscure.· The wooden stemming rod was clearly safer, yet in every mining district there were those who disregarded the new rulings.
· Democrats in Congress are determined to reverse the Supreme Court's recent anti-affirmative-action rulings.· Cost of take-over battles to soar A RECENT ruling by Customs and Excise could add millions to the costs of company takeovers.
NOUN· A court ruling had, however, found that the results of the referendums could not be implemented without further legal investigation.· The initiative passed by a wide margin, but initial court rulings have enjoined its enforcement.· Mr Bush continues to oppose him, encouraged by this week's court rulings in his favour.
VERB· The Bank has not given a formal ruling on this method of presentation from a capital adequacy perspective.· Please could you give a ruling.· I have already given my ruling on that and said exactly what the hon. Member should do about it.· Rather the court gave an authoritative ruling on how the statutory definition applies in the case of a motor vehicle.· After any other party has been heard the judge should give his formal ruling.· Customs will probably refuse to give an advance ruling on a mere prospective transaction.· Our courts have not yet been forced to give a direct ruling on this matter.
· He has issued a religious ruling sanctioning the exchange of parts of the Biblical homeland for the chance of peace and security.· In the past two terms, the court has issued conservative 5-4 rulings on affirmative action, voting rights and school desegregation.
· The courts have made several rulings against the Mugabe government.· The department plans to make rulings by the end of this year.· Following the formal request for a special prosecutor, Attorney General William Barr had up to 30 days to make a preliminary ruling.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Just a few months earlier, the Supreme Court had handed down a decision inviting states to pass abortion restrictions.
- She is expected soon to hand down a ruling.
- The commission will seek to arbitrate a resolution before handing down a decision in late summer.
- Rivals got a stay order from the courts, though after a backroom deal in mid-March the government got its way.
WORD FAMILYnounrulerulerrulingunrulinessadjectiverulingunrulyruledverbruleoverrule
an official decision, especially one made by a courtruling on the recent Supreme Court ruling on defendants’ rightsruling1 nounruling2 adjective
rulingruling2 adjective [only before noun] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The ruling party is confident of winning the election.
- the ruling party
- The crisis sparked after the ruling party rushed through revisions of the labor and national security laws in a semi-secret parliamentary session.
- the struggle between the workers and the ruling classes
- Ruling class power Westergaard and Resler argue that the maintenance of inequalities of wealth is due to the power of the ruling class.
- A single ruling class will still emerge, but a plurality of interests can make themselves felt within it.
- In July he saw his party make history when it won the first governorship conceded by the ruling party in 60 years.
- On Dec. 29 Eitan's right-wing nationalist Tsomet Party formally withdrew from the ruling coalition.
- Read the extract on p. 16 concerning the ruling class.
- This may result in conflict between the ruling minority and the rest of society.
- Those in favour included both the ruling New Democracy and the opposition socialist Pasok.
Longman Language Activatorto have an official position of power
a person or political group that is in power has political control of a country or government: · The Socialists have been in power since the 1965 revolution. · The Congress Party in India lost its legislative majority in the late 1970s after nearly thirty years in power.remain/stay in power: · Gorbachev could not have remained in power without the support of the Red Army.
someone who is in authority has a job or position that gives them the right to tell other people what to do: · My mother demanded to speak to someone in authority.· Problems arise when people in authority can't keep discipline.
someone, usually a government official, who is in office , has an important job or position with power: · The decision was made to remove the President after 30 years in office.remain/continue in office: · Hayward has expressed his willingness to continue in office.
if a king, queen, political party, or organization rules , they have an official position of power in a country, and over the people who live there: · In 1860, Italy was a collection of small states ruled by princes and dukes.· While they ruled, the country remained isolated from the rest of the world.rule France/Spain etc: · The Pol Pot regime ruled Cambodia from 1974 to 1978.rule over: · Spain ruled over Portugal from 1580 to 1640.· Motamid had died, leaving his son Mostain to rule over Saragossa.
the ruling group or political party in an area or country is the one that is controlling it at the present time: ruling party/class/authority: · The ruling party is confident of winning the election.· the struggle between the workers and the ruling classes· The crisis sparked after the ruling party rushed through revisions of the labor and national security laws in a semi-secret parliamentary session.
if a king or queen reigns , they have an official position of power, although they may not have any real power over the government of the country: · Robert II reigned for 19 years and died in Dundonald Castle on 13th May, 1390. · The last Moorish king reigned there until 1492.reign over: · Penda was king from 633 to 655, but it is not known who had reigned over the Mercians in the period before.
WORD SETSabsolutism, nounadministration, nounagency, nounagent, nounagent provocateur, nounalderman, nounally, nounassembly, nounautarchy, nounautocracy, nounautocrat, nounautonomous, adjectiveautonomy, nounban, nounbaron, nounbig government, nounbilateral, adjectivebody politic, nounbudget, nounbureau, nounbureaucracy, nouncabinet, nouncaliphate, nouncanton, nouncanvass, verbcapital, nouncapitalist, nounCapitol Hill, nounCBE, nouncede, verbcentral, adjectivecentral government, nouncentralism, nouncentralize, verbchancellery, nounchancery, nouncharter, nouncharter, verbchief, nounCIA, the, city hall, nouncity-state, nounclient state, nounCo., coalition, nouncold war, nouncolonial, adjectivecolonial, nouncolonialism, nouncolonize, verbcolony, nouncommissioner, nouncommune, nounconsort, nounconstitution, nounconstitutional, adjectiveconstitutionality, nounconvention, nouncoronation, nouncount, nouncounterintelligence, nouncountess, nouncounty, nouncounty council, noundecolonize, verbdemocracy, noundemocratic, adjectivedependency, noundespotism, noundétente, noundethrone, verbdevolution, noundictatorial, adjectivedictatorship, noundiplomacy, noundiplomatic immunity, noundirective, noundisinformation, noundispatch, noundispensation, noundissent, verbdistrict council, noundocumentation, nounDOD, dominion, nounDowning Street, noundynasty, nounearl, nounearldom, nounempire, nounEuro, adjectiveEurope, nounexecutive, nounexecutive privilege, nounfall, verbfall, nounfederalism, nounfeudal, adjectivefeudalism, nounfeudalistic, adjectivegazette, nounhead of state, nounhigh commission, nounimperial, adjectiveindependence, nounindependent, adjectiveinfrastructure, nouninstigate, verbinsurgent, nouninsurrection, nounintelligence, nouninternal, adjectivejunket, nounjunta, nounkingdom, nounkingship, nounkitchen cabinet, nounland office, nounland registry, nounlegation, nounlegislature, nounlicensed, adjectivelocal authority, nounlocal government, nounmaharajah, nounmaharani, nounmandate, nounmandated, adjectivemartial law, nounMBE, nounmeasure, nounmidterm, nounministry, nounminority government, nounmisrule, nounmonarchy, nounmonolith, nounmonolithic, adjectivemoratorium, nounmouthpiece, nounmove, verbmover, nounmunicipal, adjectivemunicipality, nounNASA, nounnational, adjectivenational debt, nounNational Health Service, the, nationalize, verbnational monument, nounnation state, nounNATO, nounneocolonialism, nounneutral, adjectiveneutral, nounneutralize, verbnon-aligned, adjectivenon-intervention, nounnon-proliferation, noun-ocracy, suffix-ocrat, suffixofficiate, verboligarchy, nounoperational, adjectiveoperative, nounoverthrow, verboverthrow, nounoverturn, verbpacify, verbpact, nounpalatinate, nounpardon, nounparish, nounpartition, nounpass, verbpeer, nounpeer, verbpeerage, nounpeeress, nounpermit, nounplenary, adjectiveplutocracy, nounpolice state, nounpolitburo, nounpolitical science, nounpolity, nounpork, nounpork barrel, nounportfolio, nounpossession, nounprecinct, nounprefecture, nounpremiership, nounpresidium, nounprotectorate, nounpublic, adjectivepublic service, nounquota, nounR, ratify, verbrealm, nounrecall, nounrecognition, nounrecognize, verbregency, nounregent, nounregime, nounregister, nounregulation, nounrelease, nounrepeal, verbrepresentative, nounrepressive, adjectiverepublic, nounrepublican, adjectiverescind, verbreunify, verbrevoke, verbrising, nounroyalist, nounruling, adjectivesanction, nounseat, nounsecret agent, nounsecurity service, nounself-governing, adjectiveself-rule, nounsheikh, nounshire, nounsocial democracy, nounsocialist, adjectivesocial service, nounsovereign, adjectivesovereignty, nounspin doctor, nounstaff, nounstate, nounstatehood, nounStatehouse, nounstate line, nounstate of emergency, nounstatewide, adjectivesubject, adjectivesubject, verbsultanate, nounsummit, nounsuperpower, nounsuppress, verbsupranational, adjectivesurgery, nounsuzerainty, nountechnocracy, nounterritory, nounthrone, nountopple, verbtotalitarian, adjectivetown planning, nountownship, nountransit visa, nountreaty, nountribalism, nountripartite, adjectivetrusteeship, nountsarism, nountyrant, nountzarism, noununconstitutional, adjectiveunification, noununify, verbunilateral, adjectiveunion, nounUnion Jack, nounvassal, nounVIP, nounviscount, nounviscountess, nounwelfare state, nounWhitehall, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY A ruling class clearly existed. the ruling body of American golf Football remains the ruling passion of many men.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a struggle for power within the ruling elite
A ruling class clearly existed. the ruling body of American golf Football remains the ruling passion of many men. (=the people in power)· For a long time, French was the language of the ruling class.
· The March elections may weaken the ruling coalition.
(=an official decision)· The company appealed against the court ruling.
a struggle for power within the ruling elite (=the party in power)· The ruling party’s level of support grew throughout the year.
· The Supreme Court reversed the decision.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· As leader for nine years, he had an automatic place on the ruling body.· There are 4 major ruling bodies running judo.· But in a surprise move Short and Kasparov snubbed the ruling body and rejected the offer.· The historical hostility to commercialism among the ruling bodies of sport is indisputable.· The game's ruling body, the International Board, are monitoring the situation on a regular basis.· Governor Chris Patten plans to boost voters' rights to make most of the colony's ruling body elected by 1995.· A fee was paid to the ruling body and in the early years these were very low indeed.
· He argues that capitalist societies remain polarized between two main classes: the ruling class and the working class.· Nor should the bureaucratization of society as a whole be confused with the emergence of the bureaucracy as a ruling class.· Where there is such a controlling stratum it must become socially and politically dominant and therefore a ruling class.· How the bureaucracy relates to the ruling class is more than a matter of origins.· Therefore the dominance of the ruling class in the relations of production will be reflected in the superstructure.· Some members of the ruling class have transferred property to relatives and friends to avoid death duties.· It is not a theory of history but a product of history designed to serve the purposes of the ruling class.· Westergaard and Resler put forward a conventional Marxist view of the ruling class.
· On Dec. 29 Eitan's right-wing nationalist Tsomet Party formally withdrew from the ruling coalition.· But Conservatives in the ruling coalition dislike the idea because they fear losses at the polls next year to the far-right Republicans.· Rehavam Ze'evi, Minister without Portfolio, threatened to withdraw his small Moledet party from the ruling coalition.· The extension was unsuccessfully opposed in parliament by deputies both to the left and right of the ruling coalition.· The ruling coalition in Parliament in 1978 was opposed to the reform.
· After his speech the night before in the Academy, Brown had become an extremely unpopular figure amongst the ruling elite.· Have they become a ruling elite or even a new ruling class?· He had travelled across the city from the suburbs to the apartments of the ruling elite.
· Social mobility and elite circulation might increase, and the ruling group might become more heterogeneous, but government must remain oligarchic.· This was exacerbated by the instability and personal feuding which characterized the new ruling group.· One example can be found in the response of ruling groups and elites to the student movement of the 1960s.
· Following the coup the ruling junta made few changes to economic policy.
· Her arrest was attributed to her village leader's opposition to the state ruling party.· In these circumstances, what ruling party would stand a chance?· In July he saw his party make history when it won the first governorship conceded by the ruling party in 60 years.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Just a few months earlier, the Supreme Court had handed down a decision inviting states to pass abortion restrictions.
- She is expected soon to hand down a ruling.
- The commission will seek to arbitrate a resolution before handing down a decision in late summer.
- Rivals got a stay order from the courts, though after a backroom deal in mid-March the government got its way.
WORD FAMILYnounrulerulerrulingunrulinessadjectiverulingunrulyruledverbruleoverrule
1the ruling group in a country or organization is the group that controls it: A ruling class clearly existed. the ruling body of American golf2a ruling interest or emotion interests someone more than anything else: Football remains the ruling passion of many men.