noun
Uncommon
rung
RUHNG
Rung (noun) means a horizontal bar forming a step on a ladder, or the crossbar between chair legs. Example: “One of the rungs on the old ladder had rotted through.”
noun
1
A horizontal bar forming a step on a ladder, or the crossbar between chair legs.
"One of the rungs on the old ladder had rotted through."
"He tightened the loose rung on the wooden chair."
2
A level or position within a hierarchy or ranking.
"She climbed to the top rung of the company within five years."
How to use rung
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA step on a ladder, or figuratively, a level in a career or social ladder.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "wrung", the past tense of "wring" — they sound identical but mean completely different things.
Easily confused with
wrung
Common pairings
the bottom rung
climb the rungs
a rung of the ladder
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Word forms
- Plural
- rungs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One of the _____ on the old ladder had rotted through.
Etymology
From Old English hrung, from Proto-Germanic *hrungō — related to German Runge ("stake, pole").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rung
See all rhymes for rung →Frequently asked questions
What does “rung” mean?
The word “rung” means a horizontal bar forming a step on a ladder, or the crossbar between chair legs. In plain terms, a step on a ladder, or figuratively, a level in a career or social ladder.
How do you pronounce “rung”?
“Rung” is pronounced RUHNG (/ˈɹʌŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rung” in a sentence?
Here is “rung” used in a sentence: “One of the rungs on the old ladder had rotted through.”
What part of speech is “rung”?
“Rung” is a noun.
Where does the word “rung” come from?
The word “rung” comes from Old English. From Old English hrung, from Proto-Germanic *hrungō — related to German Runge ("stake, pole").
Is “rung” a common word?
“Rung” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rung” have?
“Rung” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a horizontal bar forming a step on a ladder, or the crossbar between chair legs.
