1. To cause a device or an object; such as, a bell to make sounds: The hotel clerk rang a bell at the desk to get the attention of someone to carry the customer's baggage to the room.

When Jillian went to visit her friends, she rang the door bell so they would let her in.

2. To make a sound as a signal of an event or a specific time: The church bells rang early on Sunday to summon people to the religious service.
3. To fill a place or an area with sound: The cheers were ringing through the gym as the school team won the championship.
4. To appear to have a particular quality or character: Jim's excuse for getting home late didn't ring true with his parents.
5. To form a circle around or to surround something or a person: Small cottages are ringing the lake.