rim

noun \ ˈrim \

Updated on: 10 Dec 2017

Definition of rim

1 a : brink

b : the outer often curved or circular edge or border of something

2 a : the outer part of a wheel joined to the hub usually by spokes

b : a removable outer metal band on an automobile wheel to which the tire is attached

3 : frame 4c(1)

—

rimless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See rim defined for English-language learners

See rim defined for kids

Examples of rim in a Sentence

There were chips on the rim of the plate.
the rim of the volcano
He bought stainless steel rims for his new car.

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

Moments later, Okaro White, playing for only the second time this season, blocked Shabazz Muhammad at the rim.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Five takeaways from Heat-T’Wolves: This loss hurts, but there are positives to take | Miami Herald," 30 Oct. 2017
When that didn't work, Neelley led Lisa to the rim of the gorge and-- over Lisa's pleas to go home-- shot Lisa in the back and shoved her into the canyon.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "'I certainly didn't care for her:' Birmingham lawyer releases book on Judith Ann Neelley," 9 Sep. 2017
To much fanfare—and media spectacle—this Dixville Notch-er tried to cast his vote shortly after midnight, only for the elections official to stuff him at the rim.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "The First Vote Cast in the 2016 Election Was an Utter Disaster," 8 Nov. 2016
Tires and rims were stolen from a vehicle. Heneska Loop.

— Washington Post, "Fairfax County crime report," 25 Oct. 2017
Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate; fold edges under to align with the rim of the plate; crimp.

— gena knox, Country Living, "Bourbon-Pecan Pie," 17 Oct. 2017
Qixing Mountain Qixing Mountain, located in Yangmingshan National Park on the rim of the Taipei Basin, is the tallest (now dormant) volcano in Taiwan.

— Smithsonian, "Explore 10 of @We_Are_Now_In_'s Favorite Landscapes Around Taiwan:," 29 June 2017
Instead of just dropping it into the cocktail, express it over the top to release the essential oils and rub it around the rim of the glass.

— jake stavis, Esquire, "Cocktail of the Week: A White Negroni," 4 June 2013
Just make sure to drop cornering speeds and avoid sharp rocks to avoid the risk of a puncture or the tire rolling off the rim.

— ben murphy, Popular Mechanics, "When Do I Engage 4WD?," 23 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rim

Middle English, from Old English rima; akin to Old Norse rimi strip of land

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, border, skirt, skirting, verge

Related Words

ambit; brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip; ceiling, maximum; demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination; borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage; lap; shore

Near Antonyms

center, core, heart; inner, inside, interior, middle, within

rim

verb

Definition of rim

rimmed; rimming

transitive verb

1 : to run around the rim of

putts that rim the cup

2 : to serve as a rim for : border

cliffs rimming the camp

intransitive verb

: to form or show a rim

See rim defined for English-language learners

Examples of rim in a Sentence

She rimmed her eyes with eyeliner.
a porcelain bowl rimmed with gold

Recent Examples of rim from the Web

This was largely thanks to my childhood home, whose crowning feature was a beautiful, ovoid, blue-bottomed backyard pool, rimmed with tile the same color as brick.

— matt grant, Longreads, "In a Swimming Pool, Learning to Trust," 21 Aug. 2017
Quail Hollow is a brute, a 7,600-yard track rimmed by penalizing rough and featuring 18 extremely firm greens.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Kevin Kisner shoots 67 to lead PGA Championship at 8 under," 11 Aug. 2017
Rim your lids with this no-tug black pencil called Perfect Storm.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Too Faced Is On Sale for Up to 63 Percent Off on HauteLook Right Now," 13 July 2017
Back at Bears Den, several white-bearded guys rimmed the dining room table, none of them looking up from his own private quart of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Even 8 miles enough to inspire (photos, videos)," 5 July 2017
The sides of the cup are rimmed with Oreo cream filling, and chocolate Oreo bits, making this one certainly a fair food to remember.

— emily price, Fortune, "You've Got to See This Oreo Beer Being Served at the Texas State Fair," 17 Oct. 2017
It's lived-in — her earthy brown hair is rumpled, her eyes hazily rimmed with charcoal and lips often left bare.

— meirav devash, Allure, "10 Goth Beauty Icons Who Ooze Halloween Costume Inspiration," 10 Sep. 2017
Just pour a shot and a half of mezcal, a shot of lime juice, and a half shot of orange liqueur into a shaker with ice; shake, shake, shake; strain into glass filled with ice (and maybe rimmed with salt); serve with a lime wedge.

— paula forbes, GQ, "Why You Should Be Swapping Mezcal Into Your Cocktails Right Now," 18 Oct. 2017
The first step was rimming my upper and lower lids with Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Liquid Liner in Baltic Blue Sparkle (a shimmery cobalt blue).

— devon abelman, Allure, "I Did My Makeup Like K-Pop Group BTS for a Week," 9 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of rim

1621

rim Synonyms

Synonyms

bound, edge, frame, fringe, margin, border, skirt

Related Words

hem, trim; circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace; circle, compass, encircle, enclose (also inclose), environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall; check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict

RIM Defined for English Language Learners

rim

noun

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

: the outer edge of a usually round object
: the part of a wheel that the tire is put on

rim

verb

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

: to form or put a rim around (something)

RIM Defined for Kids

rim

noun \ ˈrim \

Definition of rim for Students

1 : an outer edge especially of something curved

the rim of a plate

2 : the part of a wheel that the tire is mounted on

—

rimmed

\ˈrimd\ adjective

a gold-rimmed glass

rim

verb

Definition of rim for Students

rimmed; rimming

: to form a rim around

Rocks rimmed the lake.

Learn More about rim

See words that rhyme with rim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rim Spanish Central: Translation of rim Nglish: Translation of rim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rim for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rim

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rim

Definition of rim

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RIM Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of rim for English Language Learners

rim

Definition of rim for English Language Learners

RIM Defined for Kids

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Definition of rim for Students

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