ring

noun (1)

\ ˈriŋ

Definition of ring

(Entry 1 of 4)

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

3a : 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

4a(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 usually 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

7a : 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 : boxing entry 1 ended his ring career

ring

verb (1)

ringed; ringing\ ˈriŋ-iŋ

Definition of ring (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to provide with a ring

2 : to place or form a ring around : encircle police ringed the building

3 : girdle sense 2

4 : to throw a ringer over (the peg) in a game (such as horseshoes or quoits)

intransitive verb

1a : to move in a ring

b : to rise in the air spirally

2 : to form or take the shape of a ring

ring

verb (2)

rang\ ˈraŋ

\; rung\ ˈrəŋ

\; ringing\ ˈriŋ-iŋ

Definition of ring (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to sound resonantly or sonorously the doorbell rang cheers rang out

2a : to be filled with a reverberating sound : resound the halls rang with laughter

b : to have the sensation of being filled with a humming sound his ears rang

3 : to cause something to ring ring for the butler

4a : to be filled with talk or report the whole land rang with her fame

b : to have great renown

c : to sound repetitiously their praise rang in his ears

5 : to have a sound or character expressive of some quality a story that rings true

6 chiefly British : to make a telephone call —usually used with up

transitive verb

1 : to cause to sound especially by striking

2 : to make (a sound) by or as if by ringing a bell

3 : to announce by or as if by ringing

4 : to repeat often, loudly, or earnestly

5a : to summon especially by bell

b chiefly British : telephone —usually used with up

ring a bell

: to arouse a response that name rings a bell

ring down the curtain

: to conclude a performance or an action

ring off the hook

: to ring frequently or constantly with incoming calls the telephone was ringing off the hook

ring the changes or ring changes

: to run through the range of possible variations

ring up the curtain

: to begin a performance or an action

ring

noun (2)

Definition of ring (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a set of bells

2 : a clear resonant sound made by or resembling that made by vibrating metal

3 : resonant tone : sonority

4 : a loud sound continued, repeated, or reverberated

5 : a sound or character expressive of some particular quality the story had a familiar ring

6a : the act or an instance of ringing

b : a telephone call

First Known Use of ring

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ring

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English hring; akin to Old High German hring ring, Old Church Slavonic krǫgŭ circle

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English hringan; akin to Old Norse hringja to ring

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Last Updated

23 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ring

The first known use of ring was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for ring

ring

noun

\ ˈriŋ

Kids Definition of ring

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a circular band used for holding, fastening, or connecting a key ring

2 : a circular band usually of precious metal worn especially on the finger as jewelry

3 : something circular in shape a smoke ring

4 : an often circular space for shows or contests a circus ring

5 : a group of people who work together for dishonest purposes

6 : annual ring

ring

verb

ringed; ringing

Kids Definition of ring (Entry 2 of 4)

: to place or form a ring around Tall trees ring the meadow.

ring

verb

rang\ ˈraŋ \; rung\ ˈrəŋ \; ringing

Kids Definition of ring (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : to make or cause to make a clear vibrating sound The bell rang. Ring the bell.

2 : to announce by or as if by striking a bell We'll ring in the new year.

3 : to sound loudly Cheers rang out.

4 : to fill or be filled with the sound of something The hall rang with laughter.

5 : to be filled with a humming sound His ears were ringing.

6 : to seem to be a certain way Their story rings true.

7 : to call for especially by ringing a bell I rang for the servants.

ring

noun

Kids Definition of ring (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a clear sound made by or as if by vibrating metal the ring of a bell a telephone's ring

2 : a continuous or repeating loud sound

3 : something that suggests a certain quality Their story had the ring of truth.

4 : a telephone call Give me a ring later.

ring

noun

\ ˈriŋ

Medical Definition of ring

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a circular band

b : an anatomical structure having a circular opening : annulus

2 : an arrangement of atoms represented in formulas or models in a cyclic manner as a closed chain

— called also cycle

ring

intransitive verb

rang\ ˈraŋ

\; rung\ ˈrəŋ

\; ringing\ ˈriŋ-iŋ

Medical Definition of ring (Entry 2 of 2)

: to have the sensation of being filled with a humming sound his ears rang

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ring

Definition of ring

Other Words from ring

First Known Use of ring

History and Etymology for ring

Learn More about ring

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Statistics for ring

The first known use of ring was before the 12th century

Kids Definition of ring

Medical Definition of ring

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