ruler

[roo-ler]

noun

1. a person who rules or governs; sovereign.

2. Also a strip of wood, metal, or other material having a straight edge and usually marked off in inches or centimeters, used for drawing lines, measuring, etc.

3. a person or thing that rules paper, wood, etc.

4. Astrology.,  the planet primarily associated with any sign of the zodiac or any house of the horoscope.

   The ruler of Aries is Mars. The ruler of Taurus is Venus.

ruler

/ ˈruːlə /

noun

1. a person who rules or commands

2. Also called: rule. a strip of wood, metal, or other material, having straight edges graduated usually in millimetres or inches, used for measuring and drawing straight lines

Other Word Forms

• subruler noun
• underruler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruler¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; rule, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Mary Roy turned much of her fury on her son, once beating him until a wooden ruler broke, punishment for being merely "average" while his sister excelled in school.

From BBC

It is, after all, both the ultimate power and the ultimate fear, that the ruler of the state holds the lives of his people in his hands.

From Los Angeles Times

The then-Thai military ruler was shocked by the outcome, and wanted to attack Cambodia, but was persuaded by his diplomats to grudgingly accept the verdict.

From BBC

With large parts of Myanmar under opposition control and in a state of war, holding this election is a formidable logistical exercise for the country's military rulers.

From BBC

Mali's military rulers say they have arrested a French national on suspicion of spying for his country in an attempt to destabilise the African nation.

From BBC

Related Words

• czar 
• emperor 
• king 
• monarch 
• shah 
• sultan