1
a
: a rounded crosspiece between the legs of a chair
b
: one of the crosspieces of a ladder
2
Scotland
: a heavy staff or cudgel
3
: a spoke of a wheel
4
: a level in a hierarchy
rise a few rungs on the social scale—
H. W. Van Loon
H. W. Van LoonSynonyms
Examples of rung in a Sentence
Noun
He was on the bottom rung on the corporate ladder.
the top rung of society
the lowest rung of the pay scale
Recent Examples on the Web
William Mullane, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
Jethro Tull has now stalled in the runner-up rung on the U.K.’s list of the bestselling rock, hard rock, and metal projects on more than one occasion.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Cities and counties across the nation, linking up with aggressive personal-injury law firms, sued opioid players at every rung of the business, from pillmakers to distributors to pharmacies to doctors.
—Bob Fernandez, ProPublica, 17 Dec. 2024
The next generation has far more expansive views on LGBTQ+ issues and trans rights than many of the old guard who populate the top rungs of political parties and institutions today.
—Anthony D. Romero, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2024
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Noun
Founders with degrees from prestigious universities often have an easier time securing funding for their big ideas, with strong alumni networks, bias toward top graduates, and access to university entrepreneurship programs each adding a rung to their ladder of success.
—William Mullane, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024
Jethro Tull has now stalled in the runner-up rung on the U.K.’s list of the bestselling rock, hard rock, and metal projects on more than one occasion.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Cities and counties across the nation, linking up with aggressive personal-injury law firms, sued opioid players at every rung of the business, from pillmakers to distributors to pharmacies to doctors.
—Bob Fernandez, ProPublica, 17 Dec. 2024
The next generation has far more expansive views on LGBTQ+ issues and trans rights than many of the old guard who populate the top rungs of political parties and institutions today.
—Anthony D. Romero, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rung
Dictionary Entries Near rung
Cite this Entry
“Rung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rung. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rung
1 of 2past participle of ring entry 3
rung
2 of 2 noun
: a rounded part placed as a crosspiece between the legs of a chair
also
: one of the crosspieces of a ladder
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