Definition of rink

The word "rink" originally referred to a shallow, level area of hard-packed, compacted snow or ice, often used for recreational activities such as skating, curling, or hockey in the 17th century. The etymology of the word can be traced back to the Middle Dutch word "ringje," which meant a small Ring (a circular object). In turn, this word was likely derived from the Old High German word "ringin," meaning "little ring." In England, the word "rink" became commonly used in the context of ice skating as early as the 1630s, and it continued to evolve in meaning over time. Today, the term "rink" is widely recognized as a specific type of structure, often covered by a roof, used for ice skating, roller skating, roller hockey, or curling.