rim

1 of 2

noun

ˈrim 

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 sense 3b(2)

rimless

ˈrim-ləs 

adjective

rim

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

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

Verb

• border
• bound
• edge
• frame
• fringe
• margin
• skirt

Examples of rim in a Sentence

Noun

There were chips on the rim of the plate.

the rim of the volcano

He bought stainless steel rims for his new car.

Verb

She rimmed her eyes with eyeliner.

a porcelain bowl rimmed with gold

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

With 40 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies guard dribbled the ball behind his back, went to the rim against shot-blocking monster Walker Kessler and somehow made the layup. —Matias Grez, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

Deeper ruby color than the 1981 with a garnet rim with a rich nose with aromas of cocoa dust, a whiff of espresso and crushed rocks with a plush body and silky texture with blackberry fruit intermixed with baking spices. —Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Verb

Banfi Rosa Regale Vampire’s Delight Ingredients: 1 oz white crème de cacao 1 oz chocolate vodka Directions: Shake over ice, strain into a glass rimmed with chocolate sauce and dipped in cacao nibs. —Emily Price, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024

Built with a relatively flat shear and raised bow to the main deck level, the most notable design detail would prove the vertical glass rimming the observation deck. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1621, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing rim

• rim shot

Kids Definition

rim

1 of 2 noun

ˈrim 

1

a

: an outer edge especially of something curved

b

: brink sense 1

2

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

rimless

-ləs 

adjective

rim

2 of 2 verb

rimmed; rimming

1

: to provide with a rim : serve as a rim for : border

2

: to run around the rim of

the putt rimmed the cup