An Encylopedia Britannica Company

ring

1 ring /ˈrɪŋ/ noun
plural rings
1 ring
/ˈrɪŋ/
noun
plural rings
Britannica Dictionary definition of RING
[count]
: a piece of jewelry that is worn usually on a finger see color picture on this page
: a piece of jewelry that is shaped like a circle and worn in a special hole made in the skin see also earring
: something that is shaped like a circle
see also onion ring, teething ring
: something that forms a circle around something else
: a circular or curved mark or shape
: an area that is used for shows and contests and is usually surrounded by ropes or a fence see also bullring
: a group of people who are involved in some illegal or dishonest activity
British : the part on the top of a stove where the heat or flame is produced : burner

rings around

used in phrases like run rings around to say that one person or thing is much better than others

throw/toss your hat in/into the ring

see hat
compare 4ring
2 ring /ˈrɪŋ/ verb
rings; ringed; ringing
2 ring
/ˈrɪŋ/
verb
rings; ringed; ringing
Britannica Dictionary definition of RING
[+ object]
: to form a circle around (something or someone) : to surround (something or someone)
British : to draw a circle around (something)
compare 3ring

— ringed

/ˈrɪŋd/ adjective
3 ring /ˈrɪŋ/ verb
rings; rang /ˈræŋ/ ; rung /ˈrʌŋ/ ; ringing
3 ring
/ˈrɪŋ/
verb
rings; rang /ˈræŋ/ ; rung /ˈrʌŋ/ ; ringing
Britannica Dictionary definition of RING
[+ object] : to cause (an object or device, such as a bell) to make a sound
[no object] of an object or device : to make a sound especially as a signal of something
[no object] : to call someone or something by ringing a bell
usually + for
[no object]
: to fill a place or area with sound
sometimes used figuratively
: to be filled with the sound of something sometimes used figuratively
of the ears : to be filled with a sound that other people cannot hear
[no object] : to seem to have a specified quality or character
chiefly British : to make a telephone call to someone or something : call
[+ object]
[no object]

have/get your bell rung

see bell

ring a bell

informal
: to be familiar

ring in

[phrasal verb]
ring in (something) also ring (something) in : to celebrate the beginning of (something, such as a new year)
chiefly British
: to make a telephone call to a place (such as the place where you work)
: to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
ring in at (an amount) : to cost (a certain amount of money)

ring off

[phrasal verb] British
: to end a telephone call : to hang up

ring off the hook

US, of a telephone
: to ring constantly or frequently

ring out

[phrasal verb]
: to be heard loudly and clearly

ring the changes

British
: to make changes in order to do something differently, make it more interesting, etc.

ring up

[phrasal verb]
ring (something) up or ring up (something)
: to use a special machine (called a cash register) to calculate the cost of (something, such as goods or services)
: to achieve (something)
compare 2ring
4 ring /ˈrɪŋ/ noun
plural rings
4 ring
/ˈrɪŋ/
noun
plural rings
Britannica Dictionary definition of RING
[count]
: the sound that a bell makes
: the act of making a bell ring
[count]
: the sound that a telephone makes when someone is calling compare ringtone
: one of the sounds in the series of sounds that a telephone makes when someone is calling
[singular] : a specified quality

give (someone) a ring

chiefly British
: to make a telephone call to (someone)
compare 1ring