Ruled means to control, govern, or be in charge of something — most often a country, group, or organization. It usually refers to exercising authority or power over others, formally or informally.
“Most modern kings and queens rule their countries only in a formal way, without real power.”
This example shows how the word applies to monarchs who hold symbolic positions rather than active political control.
The term can also describe controlling decisions, actions, or behavior in contexts beyond politics — such as businesses, institutions, or personal conduct.
In these cases, ruled expresses dominance or strong influence rather than legal or political authority.
Ruled is both the past tense and past participle of the verb rule. It can also appear in adjective form to describe something marked with lines or governed by rules, as in “ruled paper.”
Example: “She wrote neatly on ruled pages.”
Author’s summary: The word ruled signifies control or governance, describing authority, influence, or structured order in both literal and figurative contexts.