rim

1 of 2

noun

ˈrim 

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 sense 3b(2)

rimless

ˈrim-ləs 

adjective

rim

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms of rim

Noun

• perimeter
• edge
• circumference
• edging
• confines
• boundary
• border

Verb

• border

Examples of rim in a Sentence

Noun

There were chips on the rim of the plate.

the rim of the volcano

He bought stainless steel rims for his new car.

Verb

She rimmed her eyes with eyeliner.

a porcelain bowl rimmed with gold

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For places like Boise and Tucson Jupiter will appear only about one-sixth of the moon's diameter above the moon's dim earth lit rim. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Straps, exterior plastics and wheel rims swap without tools, and wheels change in about five minutes with hex keys. — New Atlas, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

There are no emotions in it, only our own cold and cruel fears reflected back at us, as with a shot of Cruise standing defiantly in front of a mirror rimmed by antlers. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Taylor hit a cut 9-iron from 151 yards that plopped down a foot from the cup for a par, and Burns' birdie putt to halve the match rimmed out. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing rim

• rim shot

Rhymes for rim

• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb
• mim
• prim
• scrim

Kids Definition

rim

1 of 2 noun

ˈrim 

1

a

: an outer edge especially of something curved

b

: brink sense 1

2

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

rimless

-ləs 

adjective

rim

2 of 2 verb

rimmed; rimming

1

: to provide with a rim : serve as a rim for : border

2

: to run around the rim of

the putt rimmed the cup