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

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."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

rungs plural, Rungs plural

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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").

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for rung

Ung hung lung dung tung mung bung fung Jung Sung clung Chung

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.