rung

¹ American  

[ruhng] / rʌŋ /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of ring.

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rung ² American  

[ruhng] / rʌŋ /

noun

rungs plural

1. one of the crosspieces, usually rounded, forming the steps of a ladder.

2. a rounded or shaped piece fixed horizontally, for strengthening purposes, as between the legs of a chair.

3. a spoke of a wheel.

4. a stout stick, rod, or bar, especially one of rounded section, forming a piece in something framed or constructed.

5. a stage in a scale, level in a hierarchy, etc.; degree.

   He rose a few rungs in the company.

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rung ¹ British  

/ rʌŋ /

noun

1. one of the bars or rods that form the steps of a ladder

2. a crosspiece between the legs of a chair, etc

3. nautical a spoke on a ship's wheel or a handle projecting from the periphery

4. dialect a cudgel or staff

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rung ² British  

/ rʌŋ /

verb

1. the past participle of ring 2

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• rungless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• rungs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rung

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hrung; cognate with Gothic hrunga rod, German Runge

Explanation

A rung is one of the horizontal steps of a ladder. You should never stand on the very top rung of a ladder — it can be dangerous! From the literal ladder definition of rung, a place to put your foot (or hand) as you climb up, comes the metaphorical meaning of "a level." For example, if you get a promotion at work, you might say you're climbing up the rungs of the company. The horizontal bars between the legs of a chair are also rungs. This word comes from a Germanic root meaning "stake, staff, or bar."

Example Sentences

“The right question is whether Alan Greenspan, this huge guru who had tremendous influence, could have rung the bell better. And he could have,” said Kohn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

Suddenly Carlini—the skeptic-turned-believer who had rung alarm bells—found himself working to soothe the government’s nerves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

That same chorus had rung out when players, staff and their families walked around the pitch after qualifying for the Champions League in 2023 and 2025.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Reynolds and McElhenney accomplished that even if they’re still stuck on a ladder one rung short of the Premier League.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The bell had rung over a dozen times, and I was going up on my toes for a second turn when the door flew open with such force, the bell jangled all by itself.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez