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.

Related Words

• fringe
• ledge
• lip
• perimeter
• periphery