rim

noun \ ˈrim \

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

The air-conditioner, which cools the broadcast booths at the top rim of the structure, and the transmitter have been relocated.

— david waldstein, New York Times, "What’s New at the U.S. Open: A Quieter Roof and a Temporary Court," 25 Aug. 2017
Airplanes laden with scientific instruments whirred overhead, exploring the outskirts of the speeding shadow, tiny spots that grew dimmer as the moon continued her encroachment on the sun's blazing rim.

— magner white, sandiegouniontribune.com, "From the archives: When it was midnight at midday!," 17 Aug. 2017
The vehicle was described as a black, full-size, lifted pickup with custom rims.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Police: Pickup driver deliberately hits traffic controller near Convention Center," 19 July 2017
The drink is garnished with a pickle, olives and lime and lemon wedges and served with a celery salt rim.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Simple cocktail or meal in a glass, the Bloody Mary can be the cure for what ails you," 19 July 2017
Theft Four center caps were reported stolen July 9 from the rims of a black 2013 GMC Terrain while it was parked in the lot at Target, 1700 E. Rand Road.

— elizabeth owens-schiele, chicagotribune.com, "Arlington Heights police: Officers respond after someone cuts down village-owned tree," 17 July 2017
The creamy, beer-like draft coffee is served from a tap and made in a style similar to cocktails using elixirs, local ingredients, simple syrups, bitters, and rim salts and sugars.

— lucy berry, AL.com, "First look: See the Camp at MidCity Huntsville before it debuts in August," 17 July 2017
Twenty years ago, the guard was one of the NBA’s most electric players, a 6-foot-1 do-it-all scorer who quickly filled up a stat sheet with lightning-quick drives to the rim and perimeter jumpers.

— matt giles, Longreads, "The Silent Prayer That Derailed Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf’s NBA Career," 15 July 2017
An optional move is to frost the rim of the glass with sugar, à la the Sidecar.

— esquire editors, Esquire, "How to Make a Cosmopolitan," 12 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, border, skirt, skirting, verge

Related Words

ambit; brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip; ceiling, maximum; demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination; borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage; lap; shore

Near Antonyms

center, core, heart; inner, inside, interior, middle, within

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

This was largely thanks to my childhood home, whose crowning feature was a beautiful, ovoid, blue-bottomed backyard pool, rimmed with tile the same color as brick.

— matt grant, Longreads, "In a Swimming Pool, Learning to Trust," 21 Aug. 2017
Quail Hollow is a brute, a 7,600-yard track rimmed by penalizing rough and featuring 18 extremely firm greens.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Kevin Kisner shoots 67 to lead PGA Championship at 8 under," 11 Aug. 2017
Agave spirits spike the cocktails, but the most popular drink may well be the can of Tecate rimmed with salt and hot sauce and presented in a paper bag.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Rim your lids with this no-tug black pencil called Perfect Storm.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Too Faced Is On Sale for Up to 63 Percent Off on HauteLook Right Now," 13 July 2017
Back at Bears Den, several white-bearded guys rimmed the dining room table, none of them looking up from his own private quart of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Even 8 miles enough to inspire (photos, videos)," 5 July 2017
Wade's sports memorabilia — autographed basketballs and other items — rim the kitchen atop the cabinets.

— amy bartner, Indianapolis Star, "Downtown Cribs: Steampunk penthouse a surprise twist," 25 June 2017
He doesn't rim protect; there are doubts about his ability to defend the NBA pick-and-roll game; and much of his college offense came via back-to-the-basket post play, which is nearing extinction in the NBA.

— luke winn, SI.com, "Three Thoughts On Non-Lottery NBA Prospects," 22 June 2017
Since the family spends a lot of time gathering around their kitchen island, Anne wanted to rim it with comfortable seating.

— mary carol garrity, kansascity.com, "Creative vision flips downsize into upgrade," 17 June 2017

First Known Use of rim

1621

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

bound, edge, frame, fringe, margin, border, 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

From the M-W Editors

Examples of rim in a Sentence

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

Origin and Etymology of rim

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

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

Related Words

Phrases Related to RIM

Related Phrases

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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