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

See Examples For:

rung rungs

And after a standout showing at the All-American Bowl, Luke soared into the top rung of every major recruiting ranking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

No one will give speeches at the ceremony, while bereaved family members will read out the names of all of those killed and a bell rung to mark major moments during the attack.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

“Condos really represent kind of the entry rung to the homeownership ladder,” Berner, the economist, said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

American Media’s private rating from Egan-Jones was on the second-lowest rung of investment grade from 2019 until at least November 2024, according to the Journal’s review of SEC filings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

The phone had rung many times since the accident and almost every time I asked him who was calling, it turned out to be one of the guys on the team.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

“The bottom rungs young grads depend on are being pulled away,” said Gad Levanon, chief economist at the Burning Glass Institute, a labor-market think tank focused on the future of work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

While his father was a Yankees legend, Preston Mattingly never advanced beyond the lowest rungs of the minors during his time as a player.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

Most of her career has been spent on the lower rungs of the professional ladder, travelling around trying to make ends meets.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

Phil guest conductor while rising to the top rungs of the international orchestral circuit, along with obtaining a commercial flying license and piloting, now and then, for Air France.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026

Jake’s heels were balanced on the rungs of his chair and his giant hands folded between his knees in a waiting and childlike attitude.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers