rung¹ (rŭng)

---

[Middle English, from Old English hrung.]

noun 

1. A rod or bar forming a step of a ladder.
2. A crosspiece between the legs of a chair.
3. The spoke in a wheel.
4. Nautical One of the spokes or handles on a ship's wheel.
5. A level or degree in a hierarchy: a middle manager awaiting a promotion to the next rung.

rung² (rŭng)

---

verb 

Past participle of ring²

ring² (rĭng)

---

[Middle English ringen, from Old English hringan.]

verb: rang (răng), rung (rŭng), ring·ing, rings. 

intransitive verb 

1. To give forth a clear resonant sound.
2. To cause something to ring.
3. To sound a bell in order to summon someone: I'll ring for the maid.
4. To have a sound or character suggestive of a particular quality: a story that rings true.
5. To be filled with sound; resound: The room rang with the children's laughter.
6. To hear a persistent humming or buzzing: My ears were ringing from the sound of the blast.
7. To be filled with talk or rumor: The whole town rang with the bad news.

transitive verb 

1. To cause (a bell, for example) to ring.
2. To produce (a sound) by or as if by ringing.
3. To announce, proclaim, or signal by or as if by ringing: a clock that rings the hour.
4. Chiefly British To call (someone) on the telephone. Often used with up: She rang me at noon. Let's ring her up and invite her.
5. To test (a coin, for example) for quality by the sound it produces when struck against something.

noun 

1. The sound created by a bell or another sonorous vibrating object.
2. A loud sound, especially one that is repeated or continued.
3. A telephone call: Give me a ring when you have time.
4. A suggestion of a particular quality: His offer has a suspicious ring.
5. A set of bells.
6. The act or an instance of sounding a bell.

phrasal verbs

ring up

To record, especially by means of a cash register: ring up a sale.

To accomplish or achieve; win: rang up several consecutive victories.

idioms

ring a bell

To arouse an often indistinct memory.

ring down the curtain

To end a performance, event, or action.

ring (someone's) chimes

To knock (an opponent) out by physical or other force.

ring up the curtain

To begin a performance, event, or action.