2
: a worker or a machine that rules paper
3
: a smooth-edged strip (as of wood or metal) that is usually marked off in units (such as inches) and is used as a straightedge or for measuring
Examples of ruler in a Sentence
a summit attended by a number of rulers from around the world
This ruler shows inches and centimeters.
Recent Examples on the Web
China’s rulers have done nothing to address the issue.
—
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2024
The lodge’s Gallery, a tranquil library and lounge, is now decorated with a cabinet of curiosities and a series of prints depicting the life of Shaka Zulu, the former ruler of the Zulu Kingdom.
—Nicola Leigh Stewart, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
His father was listed by Forbes as the world’s richest ruler in 2011, according to Reuters.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024
Notably, with the new ruler, the Colombian becomes the first woman with a No. 1 in four different decades on Top Latin Albums.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Turki was one of several princes detained in November 2017 by Saudi Arabia’s defacto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, and his current whereabouts are unclear.
—Hugo Miller, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
In the decade following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the new rulers imprisoned and executed thousands of Orthodox priests and bishops.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Certainly, the Sino-Russian relationship is not without its strains, and existing tensions may be exacerbated as China grows more confident and is tempted to start bossing around the Russians in a more heavy-handed way—something that no ruler in Moscow would take lightly.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Chinese rulers have struggled for over 150 years with how much economic freedom to allow, and the debate under Xi Jinping is similar.
—Evan Osborne, National Review, 9 Apr. 2024
Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2024
The lodge’s Gallery, a tranquil library and lounge, is now decorated with a cabinet of curiosities and a series of prints depicting the life of Shaka Zulu, the former ruler of the Zulu Kingdom.
—Nicola Leigh Stewart, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
His father was listed by Forbes as the world’s richest ruler in 2011, according to Reuters.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024
Notably, with the new ruler, the Colombian becomes the first woman with a No. 1 in four different decades on Top Latin Albums.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Turki was one of several princes detained in November 2017 by Saudi Arabia’s defacto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, and his current whereabouts are unclear.
—Hugo Miller, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
In the decade following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the new rulers imprisoned and executed thousands of Orthodox priests and bishops.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
Certainly, the Sino-Russian relationship is not without its strains, and existing tensions may be exacerbated as China grows more confident and is tempted to start bossing around the Russians in a more heavy-handed way—something that no ruler in Moscow would take lightly.
—Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024
Chinese rulers have struggled for over 150 years with how much economic freedom to allow, and the debate under Xi Jinping is similar.
—Evan Osborne, National Review, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ruler
Cite this Entry
“Ruler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruler. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ruler
noun
rul·er
ˈrü-lər 
2
: a straight strip of material (as wood or metal) marked off in units and used as a guide in drawing lines or for measuring
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