rung

1 of 2

past participle of ring

rung

2 of 2

noun

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 scaleH. W. Van Loon

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
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Noun
The Classic Christmas Album surged to its all-time peak on the two charts, hitting No. 4 on the Top Country Albums ranking and the runner-up rung on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums tally. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 Service workers, many of them already clinging tenuously to their rung on California’s steep economic ladder, have lost their livelihoods to the fires. Orlando Mayorquín, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The Panthers frankly need to improve every rung of this defense. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025 Along with the announcement of the closing, Saks disclosed several fundamental changes in how Saks Global will operate and integrate the Neiman Marcus Group, as well as a flurry of executive changes at the top rungs of the enterprise and executive departures. David Moin, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rung 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hrung crossbar; akin to Goth hrunga staff and perhaps to Old English hring ring — more at ring

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of rung was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rung

Cite this Entry

“Rung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rung. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

rung

1 of 2

past 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

Medical Definition

rung

past part of ring

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