rung

1 of 2

past participle of ring

rung

2 of 2

noun

ˈrəŋ 

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 scale

—H. W. Van Loon

Synonyms

Noun

• degree
• echelon
• footing
• level
• place
• position
• rank
• ranking
• reach(es)
• situation
• standing
• station
• status
• stratum

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

Noun

This frame, Linkin Park’s breakout tune pushes from No. 13 to No. 12, improving by just one rung. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

There are three rungs on the 9×9 ladder: Turbo, Sport, and Leichtbau. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2024

Tanking is harder than ever in a season plagued by the disparity between the two conferences and an unfettered competition for the bottom rung. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Nov. 2024

The Sharks are still at the bottom of the Pacific Division and on the lowest rung of the 32 teams, but Warsofsky has them in virtually every game and even winning points in a few close ones. —Eric Stephens, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing rung

• get/have one's bell rung

Kids Definition

rung

1 of 2

past participle of ring entry 3

rung

2 of 2 noun

ˈrəŋ 

: 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