First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ring
noun \ˈriŋ\
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 (as a boxing or wrestling match) takes place
5
: a band of small objects revolving around a planet (as Saturn) and composed of dust and icy or rocky fragments
6
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
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
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Origin of RING
Middle English, from Old English hring; akin to Old High German hring ring, Old Church Slavic krǫgŭ circle
2ring
verb
ringedring·ing \ˈriŋ-iŋ\
Definition of RING
transitive verb
1
: to provide with a ring
2
: to place or form a ring around : encircle <police ringed the building>
3
: girdle 2
4
: to throw a ringer over (the peg) in a game (as horseshoes or quoits)
intransitive verb
1
a : to move in a ring b : to rise in the air spirally
2
: to form or take the shape of a ring
First Known Use of RING
14th century
3ring
verb
rang \ˈraŋ\ rung \ˈrəŋ\ ring·ing \ˈriŋ-iŋ\
Definition of RING
intransitive verb
1
: to sound resonantly or sonorously <the doorbell rang> <cheers rang out>
2
a : 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>
4
a : 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
5
a : 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
Origin of RING
Middle English, from Old English hringan; akin to Old Norse hringja to ring
First Known Use: before 12th century
4ring
noun
Definition of RING
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>
6
a : the act or an instance of ringing b : a telephone call
First Known Use of RING
1549
RINGLIKE Defined for Kids
1ring
noun \ˈriŋ\
Definition of RING for Kids
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
2ring
verb
ringedring·ing
Definition of RING for Kids
: to place or form a ring around <Tall trees ring the meadow.>
3ring
verb
rang \ˈraŋ\rung \ˈrəŋ\ring·ing
Definition of RING for Kids
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.>
4ring
noun
Definition of RING for Kids
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.>
Learn More About RING
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