rim

[ rim ]

/ rɪm /

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noun

the outer edge, border, margin, or brink of something, especially of a circular object.

any edge, margin, or frame added to or around a central object or area.

the outer circle of a wheel, attached to the hub by spokes.

a circular strip of metal forming the connection between an automobile wheel and tire, either permanently attached to or removable from the wheel.

a drive wheel or flywheel, as on a spinning mule.

Basketball. the metal ring from which the net is suspended to form the basket.

Journalism. the outer edge of a usually U-shaped copy desk, occupied by the copyreaders.Compare slot¹(def 5b).

Metallurgy. (in an ingot) an outer layer of metal having a composition different from that of the center.

verb (used with object), rimmed, rim·ming.

to furnish with a rim, border, or margin.

(of a golf ball or putt) to roll around the edge of (a hole) but not go in.

Basketball. (of a basketball) to roll around (the rim of the basket) and not go in.

to coat or encrust the rim of (a glass): Rim each cocktail glass with salt.

Nearby words

Origin of rim

before 1150; Middle English; Old English -rima (in compounds); cognate with Old Norse rimi raised strip of land, ridge

SYNONYMS FOR rim

1 lip, verge. Rim, brim refer to the boundary of a circular or curved area. A rim is a line or surface bounding such an area; an edge or border: the rim of a glass. Brim usually means the inside of the rim, at the top of a hollow object (except of a hat), and is used particularly when the object contains something: The cup was filled to the brim.

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ANTONYMS FOR rim

1 center.

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Related formsrim·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

/ (rɪm) /

noun

the raised edge of an object, esp of something more or less circular such as a cup or crater

the peripheral part of a wheel, to which the tyre is attached

basketball the hoop from which the net is suspended

verb rims, rimming or rimmed (tr)

to put a rim on (a pot, cup, wheel, etc)

slang to lick, kiss, or suck the anus of (one's sexual partner)

ball games (of a ball) to run around the edge of (a hole, basket, etc)

Word Origin for rim

Old English rima; related to Old Saxon rimi, Old Norse rimi ridge

British Dictionary definitions for rimming (2 of 2)

RIM

abbreviation for

Mauritania (international car registration)

Word Origin for RIM

From République Islamique de Mauritanie

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

Old English rima "edge, border, verge, coast," as in særima "seashore," literally "rim of the sea," and dægrima "dawn," literally "rim of the day." Related to Old Norse rime, rimi "a raised strip of land, ridge," Old Frisian rim "edge," but with no other known cognates. The snare drummer's rim shot (striking the rim and the head at once) is recorded from 1934.

Word Origin and History for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

1794, "to fit with a rim," from rim (n.). Sexual senses from 1920s, some perhaps influenced by ream (v.). Related: Rimmed; rimming.

rim

noun

verb (used with object), rimmed, rim·ming.

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Nearby words

Origin of rim

British Dictionary definitions for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

noun

verb rims, rimming or rimmed (tr)

Word Origin for rim

British Dictionary definitions for rimming (2 of 2)

RIM

abbreviation for

Word Origin for RIM

Word Origin and History for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

Word Origin and History for rimming (1 of 2)

rim

Medicine definitions for rimming

rim

n.