Definition

1. Noun:
   • A surface for ice skating: "ice-rink" refers to a specially prepared surface of ice, either indoors or outdoors, used for skating, ice hockey, or other ice sports. It is typically a flat, frozen area enclosed by a barrier.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The children spent the afternoon at the ice-rink, learning how to skate. (A frozen surface for recreational skating.)
  • The local hockey team practices every evening at the indoor ice-rink. (A facility for ice hockey.)

Advanced Usage

• "to hit the ice-rink": an informal phrase meaning to go skating or to begin a session at an ice-rink.

  • After school, we decided to hit the ice-rink for some fun. (We went to the ice-rink to skate.)

• "ice-rink" as a compound noun: The term can be used attributively to describe something related to the rink.

  • The ice-rink maintenance crew works overnight to keep the surface smooth. (The crew that cares for the ice-rink.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ice skating (n): the activity or sport of gliding on ice using skates.

  • Ice skating is a popular winter pastime at the local ice-rink. (The activity performed on an ice-rink.)

• Rink (n): a shortened form of "ice-rink," often used alone to mean the same thing.

  • The rink is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (The ice-rink facility.)

Synonyms

• Skating rink: a synonym for an ice-rink, especially one used for recreational skating.
• Hockey rink: a specific type of ice-rink designed for ice hockey games.

Related Idioms

• "On thin ice": an idiom meaning in a risky or precarious situation (not directly related to "ice-rink" but using "ice" metaphorically).
  • He knew he was on thin ice after missing the deadline. (He was in a dangerous position.)