rim

1 of 2

noun

ˈrim How to pronounce rim (audio)
Synonyms of rimnext
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 How to pronounce rim (audio)
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

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
He’s put his head down and getting to the rim, layups, dunks and fouls. — James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 The 71-year-old coach doubled over punching the air in a rare show of celebration late in the second quarter when Chen drove left-handed to the rim and hooked in a layup, drawing a foul against USC freshman Avery Howell and hitting her free throw to boot. — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Not Your Ordinary Margaritas Behind the colorfully tiled bar, hundreds of margaritas are rimmed with salt and sent out at lightning speed. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025 Alexis Lafrenière rimmed a puck around the offensive zone in the second period against Vancouver, and Othmann appeared to get a whack on the puck in a battle along the boards. — Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rim

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rim was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing rim

Rhymes for rim

See All Rhymes for rim

Browse Nearby Words

rill stope
rim
Rímac
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rim. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

rim

1 of 2 noun
ˈrim How to pronounce rim (audio)
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 How to pronounce rim (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rim

Nglish: Translation of rim for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rim

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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