3ring verb
rings; rang 
/ˈræŋ/; rung /ˈrʌŋ/; ringing 1 a [+ obj] : to cause (an object or device, such as a bell) to make a sound
▪ She rang the little bell. ▪ Ring the doorbell. ▪ When she discovered the fire she immediately rang [=(more commonly) sounded] the alarm.
b [no obj] of an object or device : to make a sound especially as a signal of something
▪ The church bells were ringing. ▪ The alarm/doorbell is ringing. ▪ Excuse me, my cell phone is ringing. [=my cell phone is making the sound which signals that someone is calling]
c [no obj] : to call someone or something by ringing a bell
▪ You rang, madam? [=you rang a bell to call for me; how can I help you?] — usually + for ▪ She rang for the servants. ▪ He rang for a nurse. 2 [no obj] a : to fill a place or area with sound
▪ Cheers rang through the hall as the winner was announced. ▪ Gunshots rang in the air. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ His words were still ringing in my ears/head. [=I was still thinking about or remembering what he had said] ▪ She entered cautiously, the teacher's warning ringing in her ears.
b : to be filled with the sound of something
▪ The hall rang with their cheers. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The whole town rang with news of the victory. [=many people in the town were talking about the victory]
c of the ears : to be filled with a sound that other people cannot hear
▪ His ears were ringing after the concert. 3 [no obj] : to seem to have a specified quality or character
▪ Her explanation didn't ring true. = Her explanation rang false. [=her explanation didn't seem true; it seemed false] ▪ His apology rang hollow. [=his apology did not sound sincere] 4 chiefly Brit : to make a telephone call to someone or something : call [+ obj] ▪ I'll ring you (up) tomorrow. ▪ He called me yesterday, and I rang him back today. [no obj] ▪ I rang this morning. ▪ He's not here right now. Can you ring back later?
▪ She rang the little bell. ▪ Ring the doorbell. ▪ When she discovered the fire she immediately rang [=(more commonly) sounded] the alarm.
b [no obj] of an object or device : to make a sound especially as a signal of something
▪ The church bells were ringing. ▪ The alarm/doorbell is ringing. ▪ Excuse me, my cell phone is ringing. [=my cell phone is making the sound which signals that someone is calling]
c [no obj] : to call someone or something by ringing a bell
▪ You rang, madam? [=you rang a bell to call for me; how can I help you?] — usually + for ▪ She rang for the servants. ▪ He rang for a nurse.
▪ Cheers rang through the hall as the winner was announced. ▪ Gunshots rang in the air. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ His words were still ringing in my ears/head. [=I was still thinking about or remembering what he had said] ▪ She entered cautiously, the teacher's warning ringing in her ears.
b : to be filled with the sound of something
▪ The hall rang with their cheers. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ The whole town rang with news of the victory. [=many people in the town were talking about the victory]
c of the ears : to be filled with a sound that other people cannot hear
▪ His ears were ringing after the concert.
▪ Her explanation didn't ring true. = Her explanation rang false. [=her explanation didn't seem true; it seemed false] ▪ His apology rang hollow. [=his apology did not sound sincere]
have/get your bell rung — see bell
ring a bell
informal : to be familiar
▪ Yes, that name rings a bell. ▪ The term didn't ring a bell with me.
▪ Yes, that name rings a bell. ▪ The term didn't ring a bell with me.
ring in [phrasal verb] 1 ring in (something) also ring (something) in : to celebrate the beginning of (something, such as a new year)
▪ How did you ring in the new millennium? ▪ We're going to New York to ring in the New Year. 2 chiefly Brit a : to make a telephone call to a place (such as the place where you work)
▪ She rang in sick [=(US) called in sick] yesterday. [=she telephoned the place where she works to say that she was sick and would not be coming to work]
b : to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
▪ Thousands of people rang in [=(US) called in] to make a donation. 3 ring in at (an amount) : to cost (a certain amount of money)
▪ These hats ring in at 200 dollars.
▪ How did you ring in the new millennium? ▪ We're going to New York to ring in the New Year.
▪ She rang in sick [=(US) called in sick] yesterday. [=she telephoned the place where she works to say that she was sick and would not be coming to work]
b : to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
▪ Thousands of people rang in [=(US) called in] to make a donation.
▪ These hats ring in at 200 dollars.
ring off
[phrasal verb] Brit : to end a telephone call : to hang up
▪ He said he didn't have time to talk and quickly rang off.
▪ He said he didn't have time to talk and quickly rang off.
ring off the hook
US, of a telephone : to ring constantly or frequently
▪ The phone was ringing off the hook all morning. [=many people called during the morning]
▪ The phone was ringing off the hook all morning. [=many people called during the morning]
ring out [phrasal verb]
: to be heard loudly and clearly
▪ A shot rang out. [=a loud shot was heard] ▪ Cheers rang out as the winner was announced.
▪ A shot rang out. [=a loud shot was heard] ▪ Cheers rang out as the winner was announced.
ring the changes
Brit : to make changes in order to do something differently, make it more interesting, etc.
▪ The team's manager rang the changes at halftime so that more players would have a chance to play.
▪ The team's manager rang the changes at halftime so that more players would have a chance to play.
ring up [phrasal verb]
ring (something) up or ring up (something) 1 : to use a special machine (called a cash register) to calculate the cost of (something, such as goods or services)
▪ The cashier rang up our purchases. 2 : to achieve (something)
▪ The company rang up huge profits last quarter. ▪ She rang up another tournament win.
▪ The cashier rang up our purchases.
▪ The company rang up huge profits last quarter. ▪ She rang up another tournament win.
— compare 2ring
