ring

1 a group involved in secret or criminal activities a ring of counterfeiters passing phony $20 bills Synonyms cabal, conspiracy, crew, gang, Mafia, mob, syndicate Related Words bunch, circle, clan, clique, coterie, coven, crowd, galère, lot, network, pack, set; junta, oligarchy

2 a circular strip a metal ring encircled the barrel Synonyms band, circle, eye, hoop, loop, round Related Words belt, cincture, collar, girdle; wreath; annulet, becket, coil, curl, furl, hank, spiral, spire, twirl, whorl

3 a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially a gaming ring that meets once a week to play Synonyms body, bunch, circle, clan, clique, community, coterie, coven, crowd, fold, galère, klatch (also klatsch), lot, network, pack, ring, setRelated Words charmed circle, elite, in-group; closed shop; club, college, fellowship, guild (also gild), league, organization, society; camp, faction, sect, side, tribe; mess, squad; brotherhood, fraternity, order, sisterhood, sodality, sorority; commune; alliance, bloc, coalition, confederation, congress, council, federation, unionNear Antonyms loner; individualist

4 something with a perfectly round circumference the coffee cup left a ring on the table Synonyms cirque, ring, round, roundelRelated Words circlet, ringlet; ellipse, loop, oval; ball, globe, orb, sphere