(ring) noun
1. Any circular object having an opening of nearly its own diameter.
2. A circular band of precious metal, worn on a finger.
3. Any metal or wooden band used for holding or carrying something: a napkin ring; also, a hoop.
4. A group of persons or things in a circle.
5. A combination of persons, often for corrupt or mercenary cooperation, as in business or politics; a clique.
6. A place where the bark has been cut away around a branch or tree trunk.
7. One of a series of concentric layers of wood in an exogenous stem, formed by annual growth: also annual ring.
8. An area or arena, as that in which boxers fight; hence prize fighting in general; a circular racecourse or track, as of a circus or horse show.
9. The field of competition or rivalry: He tossed his hat into the ring.
10. Thearea set apart for bookmakers and other betters at a racetrack.
11. Chem. An arrangement of atoms in a closed chain: the benzene ring.
12. The space between two concentric circles.
—v. ringed, ring·ing v.t.
1. To surround with a ring; encircle.
2. To form into a ring or rings.
3. To provide or decorate with a ring or rings.
4. To cut a ring of bark from (a branch or tree); girdle.
5. To put a ring in the nose of (a pig, bull, etc.).
6. To hem in (cattle, etc.) by riding in a circle around them.
7. In certain games, to cast a ring over (a peg or pin).
—v.i.
8. To form a ring or rings.
9. To move or fly in rings or spirals; circle. ♦ Homophone: wring. [OE hring]

(ring) v. rang, rung, ring·ing v.i.
1. To give forth a resonant, sonorous sound, as a bell when struck.
2. To sound loudly or be filled with sound or resonance; reverberate; resound.
3. To cause a bell or bells to sound, as in summoning a servant.
4. To have or suggest a sound expressive of a specified quality: His story rings true.
5. To have a continued sensation of ringing or buzzing: My ears ring.
—v.t.
6. To cause to ring, as a bell.
7. To produce, as a sound, by or as by ringing.
8. To announce or proclaim by ringing: to ring the hour.
9. To summon, escort, usher, etc., in this manner: with in or out: to ring out the old year.
10. To strike (coins, etc.) on something so as to test their quality by the sound produced.
11. To call on the telephone: often with up.
—to ring the changes See under CHANGE.
—noun
1. The sound produced by a bell or other vibrating, sonorous body; the act of sounding a bell; also, a telephone call.
2. Any reverberating sound, as of acclamation.
3. A sound that is characteristic or indicative: His words have the ring of truth.
4. A set, chime, or peal of bells. ♦ Homophone: wring. [OE hringan]