Ruler

//ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
  2. 2
    measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths wordnet
  3. 3
    A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.

    "The carcharhinids are unquestionably the rulers of the seas, because of their abundance, their strength and speed, and their unchallenged position as the number one predators in the marine ecosystem."

  4. 4
    a person who rules or commands wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment). transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
rulerulenaboba per seaceanointed king

Example

More examples

"Alfred, King of England, was a great scholar as well as a great ruler."

Etymology

From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule + -er.

Related phrases

agate rulerarchitect's rulerco-rulerdrafter's rulerhome rulerparallel rulerpatchwork rulerplanet-rulerpuppet rulerscale rulersign rulerstandard ruler

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.