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.

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nose ring British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nose rings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nose ring

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nose ring

The portrait features an Indian woman in a formal pose, wearing a string of pearls, a large emerald pendant and a nose ring.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

“We’ve been a party for over 50 years and we’ve never gotten a single federal candidate elected,” said Weir, who describes himself as a “punk/alternative guy” with tattoos and a nose ring.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026

Whether it's music, when I started wearing pants or getting a nose ring or those types of things, really being forced to think about them.

From Salon ● Sep. 16, 2023

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

From New York Times ● Oct. 7, 2022

“Get out!” the guy with the nose ring snarled, coming at them.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon