What name does Tolkien give to the central artifact in The Lord of the Rings?

The central artifact in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is the One Ring.

Sauron forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom during the Second Age. He designed it to control the other Rings of Power and extend his influence over their bearers. Because the One Ring contains much of Sauron’s power, destroying it is the only lasting way to defeat him.

The story follows the ring after Bilbo Baggins finds it and later gives it to Frodo Baggins. Frodo carries it toward Mount Doom with the Fellowship and other companions, while Sauron’s servants search for it. The ring is finally destroyed when it falls into the volcanic fire where it was made.

The One Ring is not the same as any of the Three Elven Rings, the Seven Dwarf-rings, or the Nine Rings given to Men. Its importance comes from its unique connection to Sauron’s power and the other Rings of Power.