noun
General word for a ring-shaped object, circular form, or loop.
指に銀の輪をはめている。
She wears a silver ring on her finger.
煙が輪になって上がっていった。
The smoke rose in rings.
noun
Specifically a hoop, such as a basketball hoop or a hula hoop.
See also: フープ
子供たちが輪を回して遊んでいる。
The children are playing with a hoop.
noun
Used for wheels, especially in compounds or when the circular shape is emphasized.
歯車の輪がかみ合っている。
The gear wheels are meshing.
noun
Metaphorical use for a circle of friends, acquaintances, or a social group.
彼は友達の輪が広い。
He has a wide circle of friends.
noun
planetary ring
Astronomical term for rings around planets, such as Saturn's rings.
土星の輪は望遠鏡で見える。
Saturn's rings are visible through a telescope.
Native Japanese word. The kanji 輪 is a phono-semantic compound with 車 (vehicle) and 侖 (order, arrange), suggesting an orderly circular object like a wheel.