ruling

Ruling is a term with several related meanings across law, politics, and everyday usage. In law, a ruling is a formal decision by a judge or court resolving a specific issue in a case. It may take the form of an order, a written opinion, or a verdict. Rulings can determine rights, obligations, or procedures, and are typically binding on the parties involved. Depending on jurisdiction, a ruling can be appealed, reviewed, or overturned by a higher court; the process of appeals and the doctrine of stare decisis in common law systems give rulings potential to influence future cases.

In politics and governance, ruling refers to the exercise of sovereign power or authority over a territory. A ruler is the person or body with that authority, whether a monarch, president, or other head of state. The term "ruling party" denotes the political party currently in government. The nature and limits of rule vary by constitutional framework; constitutional monarchies restrict ceremonial roles of the monarch, while republics may concentrate executive power in elected officials.

Other uses include the sense of ruling as drawing or marking lines. In drafting and note-taking, ruled paper contains parallel lines, and to rule can mean to draw such lines or set guidelines. In mathematics or statistics, a ruling can refer to a dividing line or boundary.

Overall, ruling connects decisions, governance, and marking practices through a shared notion of directing or determining outcomes.