# ruled

/ˈɹuɫd/ (US) · /ɹˈuːld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ruled
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. governed a country

verb · CEFR B1

controlled or governed a country, group, or area.

For teachers: exercised ultimate authority or control over a nation, territory, or people.

- The queen ruled the country for over sixty years during a time of peace.
- The dynasty ruled the region for centuries, maintaining stability through a complex system of alliances and military strength.

Usage: Often used with 'over' when describing the territory or people being controlled.

### 2. made a legal decision

verb · CEFR B2

made an official or legal decision about something.

For teachers: delivered an authoritative or judicial decision on a specific matter.

- The judge ruled that the evidence could not be used in the trial.
- The supreme court ruled against the government, declaring the new tax law unconstitutional and unenforceable.

Usage: Commonly followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'on' or 'against'.

### 3. paper with lines

adjective · CEFR B1

paper that has straight horizontal lines printed on it to help you write straight.

For teachers: marked with parallel horizontal lines to guide handwriting.

- Please write your essay on ruled paper so it is easy to read.
- The students were required to submit their handwritten assignments on wide-ruled paper to allow space for teacher comments.

Usage: Usually placed immediately before the noun 'paper' or 'notebook'.

### 4. geometry

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a surface made up of straight lines.

For teachers: describing a surface that can be generated by the motion of a straight line.

- The architect designed a building with a curved, ruled surface.
- A hyperboloid of one sheet is a classic example of a doubly ruled surface in three-dimensional Euclidean space.

## Examples

- The king ruled the country for fifty years.
- The high court ruled that the new law was unconstitutional and must be changed immediately.
- Although the dynasty ruled for centuries, their influence began to wane as local governors seized control of the distant provinces.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.