rung

1 of 2

past participle of ring

rung

2 of 2

noun

ˈrəŋ 

1

a

: a rounded crosspiece between the legs of a chair

b

: one of the crosspieces of a ladder

2

Scotland : a heavy staff or cudgel

3

: a spoke of a wheel

4

: a level in a hierarchy

rise a few rungs on the social scale

—H. W. Van Loon

Synonyms

Noun

• level
• position
• rank
• echelon
• ranking
• place
• standing

Examples of rung in a Sentence

Noun

He was on the bottom rung on the corporate ladder.

the top rung of society

the lowest rung of the pay scale

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

No doubt fans would embrace the arena evolution as simply the next rung on the band’s inevitable, world-conquering trajectory. —Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025

To match the look, hang antique grain sacks off the rungs of a ladder before leaning it against the wall by your front door. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025

Leme da Silva has been playing ITF World Tennis Tour events since early 2024, with a 9-6 record to date and five wins in her last seven matches on the third rung of the professional tennis ladder. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025

High interest rates may not compensate for the risk at the lower rungs. —Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrung crossbar; akin to Goth hrunga staff and perhaps to Old English hring ring — more at ring

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing rung

• get/have one's bell rung

Rhymes for rung

• bling
• bung
• clung
• dung
• flung
• fung
• hung
• lung
• slung
• sprung
• strung
• stung

Kids Definition

rung

1 of 2

past participle of ring entry 3

rung

2 of 2 noun

ˈrəŋ 

: a rounded part placed as a crosspiece between the legs of a chair

also : one of the crosspieces of a ladder

Medical Definition

rung

past part of ring