WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
rim /rɪm/USA pronunciation
n., v., rimmed, rim•ming.
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025n. [countable]
- the outer edge or border of something:a chip on the rim of the glass.
- the outer circle of a wheel, attached to the hub by spokes.
v. [~ + object]
- to furnish with a rim.
- Sportto roll around the edge of but not go in:His last shot rimmed the basket.
rim
(rim),USA pronunciation n., v., rimmed, rim•ming.
n.
n.
- the outer edge, border, margin, or brink of something, esp. of a circular object.
- any edge, margin, or frame added to or around a central object or area.
- the outer circle of a wheel, attached to the hub by spokes.
- a circular strip of metal forming the connection between an automobile wheel and tire, either permanently attached to or removable from the wheel.
- Mechanical Engineeringa drive wheel or flywheel, as on a spinning mule.
- Sport[Basketball.]the metal ring from which the net is suspended to form the basket.
- Journalismthe outer edge of a usually
U -shaped copy desk, occupied by the copyreaders. Cf. slot (def. 5). - Metallurgy(in an ingot) an outer layer of metal having a composition different from that of the center.
- to furnish with a rim, border, or margin.
- Sport(of a golf ball or putt) to roll around the edge of (a hole) but not go in.
- Sport[Basketball.](of a basketball) to roll around (the rim of the basket) and not go in.
- Wineto coat or encrust the rim of (a glass):Rim each cocktail glass with salt.
- bef. 1150; Middle English; Old English -rima (in compounds); cognate with Old Norse rimi raised strip of land, ridge
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged lip, verge. 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.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged center.
v.t.
'rimless' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):