nose ring

American  

noun

1. a ring inserted in the nose of an animal, to facilitate leading it.

2. a ring worn as an ornament in the nose.

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nose ring British  

noun

1. a ring fixed through the nose, as for leading a bull

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Etymology

Origin of nose ring

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

The guy with the nose ring who decides goats, chickens, pigs and other livestock belong in his grandmother’s yard in suburban Indiana, to the despair of the genteel retirees across the street.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Reyes, who has a bee-sized tattoo below his eye and a nose ring, nods respectfully.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2022

He arrived in the paddock there wearing at least four stacked necklaces, and was later seen with at least three watches and four rings on each hand — along with his earrings and nose ring.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2022

In the video, the 35-year-old sported two-tone ombré black and gray hair, a nose ring and a now-familiar heart tattoo on her face.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2022

She wore a black top and black pants and had a nose ring.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds