Definition of ring
1
: a circular band for holding, connecting, hanging, pulling, packing, or sealing
- a key ring
- a towel ring
2
: a circlet usually of precious metal worn especially on the finger
3 a
: a circular line, figure, or object
- smoke ring
b
: an encircling arrangement
- a ring of suburbs
c
: a circular or spiral course
—often used figuratively in plural in the phrase run rings around to describe surpassing an opponent decisively
4 a (1)
: an often circular space especially for exhibitions or competitions;
especially
: such a space at a circus
(2)
: a structure containing such a ring
b
: a square enclosure in which a fighting contest (such as a boxing or wrestling match) takes place
5
: a band of small objects revolving around a planet (such as Saturn) and composed of dust and icy or rocky fragments
6
: annual ring
7 a
: an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish and often corrupt purpose (as to control a market)
- a wheat ring
b
: gang
8
: the field of a political contest : race
9
: food in the shape of a circle
10
: an arrangement of atoms represented in formulas or models in a cyclic manner — called also
cycle
11
: a set of mathematical elements that is closed under two binary operations of which the first forms a commutative group with the set and the second is associative over the set and is distributive with respect to the first operation
12
rings plural
a
: a pair of usually rubber-covered metal rings suspended from a ceiling or crossbar to a height of approximately eight feet above the floor and used for hanging, swinging, and balancing feats in gymnastics
b
: an event in gymnastics competition in which the rings are used
13
: 1boxing
- ended his ring career
