nose ring

American  

noun

nose rings plural

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

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

---

nose ring British  

noun

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nose rings
  plural

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

In the Black Magic Comedy Club, a woman with a nose ring floated up to Elite.

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2022

With her boots, nose ring and army-green pants, she easily blends in to the city.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2022

“First the nose ring disappears. Now you’ve lost the skunk stripe. What’s next, an Abercrombie hoodie?”

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline