rim

[ rim ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: verge, lip

   Antonyms: center

2. any edge, margin, or frame added to or around a central object or area.
3. the outer circle of a wheel, attached to the hub by spokes.
4. a circular strip of metal forming the connection between an automobile wheel and tire, either permanently attached to or removable from the wheel.
5. a drive wheel or flywheel, as on a spinning mule.
6. Basketball. the metal ring from which the net is suspended to form the basket.
7. Journalism. the outer edge of a usually U -shaped copy desk, occupied by the copyreaders. Compare slot ¹( def 5b ).
8. 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.

1. to furnish with a rim, border, or margin.
2. (of a golf ball or putt) to roll around the edge of (a hole) but not go in.
3. Basketball. (of a basketball) to roll around (the rim of the basket) and not go in.
4. to coat or encrust the rim of (a glass):

   Rim each cocktail glass with salt.

RIM

¹

abbreviation for

1. Mauritania (international car registration)

rim

²

/ rɪm /

noun

1. the raised edge of an object, esp of something more or less circular such as a cup or crater
2. the peripheral part of a wheel, to which the tyre is attached
3. basketball the hoop from which the net is suspended

verb

1. to put a rim on (a pot, cup, wheel, etc)
2. slang.
   to lick, kiss, or suck the anus of (one's sexual partner)
3. ball games (of a ball) to run around the edge of (a hole, basket, etc)

Other Words From

• rimless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rim¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rim¹

From République Islamique de Mauritanie

Origin of rim²

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

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Keep adding more plaster-soaked paper until the rim of the crater is complete.

From National Geographic Kids

While waiting for your rim to harden, scrape out any extra plaster in the mixing container onto a newspaper and toss it into the trash.

From National Geographic Kids

Try to only tape around the rim of the lenses so you don't cover too much.

From National Geographic Kids

When the ball bounced off the rim, he corralled it.

From Los Angeles Times

“Both sides of the ball, just doing his job, putting pressure on the rim offensively, screening, and then his offensive rebounding as well, got us a couple extra possessions,” coach JJ Redick said of Hayes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fringe
• ledge
• lip
• perimeter
• periphery