rim

[ rim ]

/ rɪm /

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See synonyms for: rim / rimmed / rimming / rims on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR rim

1 lip, verge.

See synonyms for rim on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR rim

1 center.

See antonyms for rim on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of rim

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

synonym study for rim

1. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM rim

rimless, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rim in a sentence

The 19-year-old Okongwu, who has drawn numerous comparisons to Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, pencils in as a strong long-term partner for franchise guard Trae Young given his finishing ability, rim protection and high defensive ceiling.
On quiet night for NBA draft lottery selections, Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 to Timberwolves|Ben Golliver, Des Bieler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
With the Clippers, Paul teamed with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan to form Lob City, rocking rims all over the country.
Chris Paul Helped Blake Griffin Shine. Can He Do The Same For Deandre Ayton?|Jared Dubin|November 18, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Despite posting regular-season career highs in scoring and rebounding, Harrell’s inability to protect the rim in the playoffs proved costly, especially when sharing the court with two of the league’s premier perimeter defenders.
Ty Lue Inherited A Kawhi Leonard Problem|James L. Jackson|November 13, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Fill with pie weights to the top inner rim of the pie plate.
Decorate this caramel apple pie with festive, buttery pastry cutouts|Erin Jeanne McDowell|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

Duck jus and red wine are cooked down to a heady essence for the entree, whose plate rim is streaked with circles of balsamic reduction.
A reopened Marcel’s reminds me that fine dining, especially now, is about more than food|Tom Sietsema|November 6, 2020|Washington Post
Rimming the rivers with red, the new shoots of the willows appeared.
The Whelps of the Wolf|George Marsh

British Dictionary definitions for rim (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 rim (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