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 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
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
: boxing entry 1
ended his ring career
ringed; ringing
ˈriŋ-iŋ 
1
: to provide with a ring
2
: to place or form a ring around : encircle
police ringed the building
3
4
: to throw a ringer over (the peg) in a game (such as horseshoes or quoits)
1
a
: to move in a ring
b
: to rise in the air spirally
2
: to form or take the shape of a ring
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
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
Synonyms
Examples of ring in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a ring of counterfeiters passing phony $20 bills
a metal ring encircled the barrel
a gaming ring that meets once a week to play
the coffee cup left a ring on the table
Verb (1)
tall cypress trees ringing the park
the line of season ticket buyers ringed the block
Verb (2)
I didn't hear the doorbell ring
Noun (2)
give me a ring when you're ready to go
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
In late September, Torri was driving down the highway with her 11-year-old son Junior in the back seat when her phone started ringing.
—Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2024
Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
In March, Johnson went on Kirk’s show to kiss the ring.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ring 
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.
Verb
But before the phone started ringing that day, Nancy was lamenting that the sky had been cloudy on the day of the solar eclipse — the last that would pass over England in her lifetime.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
In late September, Torri was driving down the highway with her 11-year-old son Junior in the back seat when her phone started ringing.
—Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
Enjoy the mirror-still water from the fire ring, or hop aboard the kayaks that come with the property for a scenic paddle.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
In March, Johnson went on Kirk’s show to kiss the ring.
—Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ring
Articles Related to ring
Dictionary Entries Near ring
Cite this Entry
“Ring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ring. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ring
1 of 4 noun1
: a circular band for holding, connecting, hanging, or pulling or for packing or sealing
a key ring
a towel ring
2
: a circular band usually of precious metal worn on the finger
3
: something circular in shape
smoke rings
4
: an often circular space for shows and contests
a circus ring
a boxing ring
5
6
: a group of persons involved in selfish or dishonest activities
a ring of thieves
7
plural
: a pair of rings suspended from above and used for hanging, swinging, and balancing tricks in gymnastics
ringed
adjective
ˈriŋd
ring
3 of 4 verb1
: to make a clear and vibrating sound when struck
church bells ringing
2
: to cause to sound especially by striking
rang the bell
3
: to announce by or as if by ringing
ring an alarm
ring in the new year
4
: to sound loudly
cheers rang out
5
a
: to be filled with echoing sound : resound
the whole hall rang with their cheers
b
: to have the feeling of being filled with a humming sound
his ears were ringing
6
: to be filled with talk or news
the whole town rang with news of the victory
7
: to seem to have some particular quality
her story rings true
8
a
: to call for especially by bell
ring for the servants
b
chiefly British
: to call on the telephone
will ring you up tomorrow
ring
4 of 4 noun1
: a set of bells
2
: a clear sound made by or as if by vibrating metal
3
: a tone like that of a bell
4
: a continuous or repeating loud noise
5
: something that suggests a certain quality
a story with the ring of truth
6
a
: the act or an instance of ringing
b
: a telephone call
Etymology
Noun
Old English hring "a circular band"
Verb
Old English hringan "to ring"
Medical Definition
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