rim

noun \ ˈrim \

Updated on: 25 May 2018

Definition of rim

1 a : brink

b : the outer often curved or circular edge or border of something

2 a : the outer part of a wheel joined to the hub usually by spokes

b : a removable outer metal band on an automobile wheel to which the tire is attached

3 : frame 4c(1)

—

rimless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See rim defined for English-language learners

See rim defined for kids

Examples of rim in a Sentence

There were chips on the rim of the plate.
the rim of the volcano
He bought stainless steel rims for his new car.

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

As James goes for the dunk, Wade extends his arms out wide under the rim.

— jordan mcpherson, miamiherald, "Remember this famous pic from the 'Big 3' days? Here's what Wade wants to do with it | Miami Herald," 21 May 2018
Some people carried bicycle rims or armfuls of tires.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Propane tanks are a favorite target for thieves camping in city woods. This former Anchorage judge is fed up.," 19 May 2018
The ability to protect the rim counts for a lot, as illustrated by center Rudy Gobert’s value to the Utah Jazz in the playoffs.

— rick bonnell, charlotteobserver, "If this highly skilled player is there, Hornets face NBA draft gut check at No. 11 | Charlotte Observer," 18 May 2018
The Lincoln had been stripped of its rims and stereo and was found in his garage, according to officials.

— howard ludwig, Daily Southtown, "Chicago man found guilty in 2011 Harvey carjacking that killed mother of 6," 17 May 2018
The kids would play basketball with a hoop fashioned from a 20-inch bicycle rim attached to an old pole one of the kids found somewhere.

— chris graves, Cincinnati.com, "Pike County: Death in the foothills," 15 May 2018
But Poe said the debate around delays has more to do with TARC service being strained to the outer rims of Jefferson County than its budget constraints or lack of drivers.

— phillip m. bailey, The Courier-Journal, "TARC riders left at the curb as driver shortages cancel buses," 15 May 2018
More of a catch-and-shoot guy who really doesn’t threaten the rim.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' best NBA draft fits — if lottery luck strikes," 14 May 2018
Houston Astros Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell missed the First Shot off the back rim before Monday's Game 1 of the Rockets-Warriors Western Conference final on Monday at Toyota Center.

— matt young, Houston Chronicle, "Jeff Bagwell misses First Shot before Rockets-Warriors game," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rim

Middle English, from Old English rima; akin to Old Norse rimi strip of land

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

rim Synonyms

rim

verb

Definition of rim

rimmed; rimming

transitive verb

1 : to run around the rim of

putts that rim the cup

2 : to serve as a rim for : border

cliffs rimming the camp

intransitive verb

: to form or show a rim

See rim defined for English-language learners

Examples of rim in a Sentence

She rimmed her eyes with eyeliner.
a porcelain bowl rimmed with gold

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

Pour contents of shaker, including ice, into glass rimmed with chile salt*.

— kevin hopper, idahostatesman, "Margaritaville can be found in your own backyard | Idaho Statesman," 3 May 2018
The script had started to feel familiar for the Raptors well before a Fred Van Vleet three-pointer rimmed out in the final seconds of overtime, wrapping up a 113–112 Game 1 loss to the Cavaliers within a deflated Air Canada Centre.

— jeremy woo, SI.com, "Agonizing Last-Second Sequence Punctuates Another Raptors Game 1 Loss," 1 May 2018
After an Oladipo 3-pointer rimmed out, Young rebounded and converted a layup, then Oladipo made his first steal of the night, leading to a Bogdanovic layup that put the Pacers ahead by 14.

— clifton brown, USA TODAY, "Warriors show 'pathetic effort' as Pacers pass 'big test'," 6 Apr. 2018
Its suburbs were rimmed with razor wire and humming electric fences.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "For South Africa's students, college means promise – if they can get there," 23 Apr. 2018
After an Oladipo 3-pointer rimmed out, Young rebounded and converted a layup, then Oladipo made his first steal of the night, leading to a Bogdanovic layup that put the Pacers ahead by 14.

— clifton brown, USA TODAY, "Warriors show 'pathetic effort' as Pacers pass 'big test'," 6 Apr. 2018
After an Oladipo 3-pointer rimmed out, Young rebounded and converted a layup, then Oladipo made his first steal of the night, leading to a Bogdanovic layup that put the Pacers ahead by 14.

— clifton brown, Indianapolis Star, "3 takeaways as the Pacers sweep the Warriors for the year," 5 Apr. 2018
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got a decent look at the basket, but his shot rimmed out as the horn sounded.

— paul newberry, BostonGlobe.com, "Kansas State upsets Kentucky, advances to Elite Eight," 23 Mar. 2018
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got a decent look at the basket, but his shot rimmed out as the horn sounded.

— CBS News, "March Madness: Loyola upsets Nevada, Kansas State holds off Kentucky," 23 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of rim

1621

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

border, bound, edge, frame, fringe, margin, skirt;

Related Words

hem, trim;

circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace;

circle, compass, encircle, enclose (also inclose), environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall;

check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict;

RIM Defined for English Language Learners

rim

noun

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

: the outer edge of a usually round object
: the part of a wheel that the tire is put on

rim

verb

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

: to form or put a rim around (something)

RIM Defined for Kids

rim

noun \ ˈrim \

Definition of rim for Students

1 : an outer edge especially of something curved

the rim of a plate

2 : the part of a wheel that the tire is mounted on

—

rimmed

\ˈrimd\ adjective

a gold-rimmed glass

rim

verb

Definition of rim for Students

rimmed; rimming

: to form a rim around

Rocks rimmed the lake.

Learn More about rim

See words that rhyme with rim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rim Spanish Central: Translation of rim Nglish: Translation of rim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rim for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rim

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rim

Definition of rim

rimless

Examples of rim in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of rim

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Synonyms

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rim

Definition of rim

Examples of rim in a Sentence

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

First Known Use of rim

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

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RIM Defined for English Language Learners

rim

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

rim

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

RIM Defined for Kids

rim

Definition of rim for Students

rimmed

rim

Definition of rim for Students

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