Pacific Rim

American  

[puh-sif-ik rim] / pəˈsɪf ɪk ˈrɪm /

noun

1. a geographic area that includes all the landmasses that border the Pacific Ocean when considered collectively, but which often refers specifically and socioeconomically to eastern Asia: What do the economies in Europe and the Pacific Rim tell us about current trends?

   coastal erosion in the Pacific Rim;

   What do the economies in Europe and the Pacific Rim tell us about current trends?

---

Pacific rim British  

noun

1. the regions, countries, etc, that lie on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, esp in the context of their developing manufacturing capacity and consumer markets

---

Etymology

Origin of Pacific Rim

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Crane visited Japan last year and decided to boost Houston's Pacific Rim presence with scouts in Tokyo, Taiwan and South Korea.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

Instead of tit for tat, the prime minister is pivoting Canada with precision toward alternative trade blocs like Europe and the Pacific Rim.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2025

So, over the last several years, the team began dedicating more and more resources to its scouting in the Pacific Rim.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2025

“Salmon recovery funding is not limitless,” said Jessica Helsley, government affairs director at the nonprofit Wild Salmon Center, which works on salmon protection and restoration in Pacific Rim countries.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024

We split up the rest, the Chinese, Laotians, Singaporans, Filipinos, the whole transplanted Pacific Rim.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee