ribbon

[ rib-uhn ]

noun

1. a woven strip or band of fine material, as silk or rayon, varying in width and finished off at the edges, used for ornament, tying, etc.
2. material in such strips.
3. anything resembling or suggesting a ribbon or woven band.
4. a band of inked material used in a typewriter, adding machine, etc., that supplies ink for printing the figure on the striking typeface onto the paper beneath.
5. a strip of material, as satin or rayon, being or representing a medal or similar decoration, especially a military one:

   an overseas ribbon.

6. ribbons,
   1. torn or ragged strips; shreds:

      clothes torn to ribbons.

   2. reins for driving.
7. a long, thin flexible band of metal, as for a spring, a band saw, or a tapeline.
8. Also Also called ledger, ledger board,. Carpentry. a thin horizontal piece attached to studding to support the ends of joists.
9. Architecture. came ².
10. Also Nautical. a distinctive narrow band or stripe painted along the exterior of a hull.
11. Shipbuilding. ribband ¹( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to adorn with ribbon.
2. to mark with something suggesting ribbon.
3. to separate into ribbonlike strips.

verb (used without object)

1. to form in ribbonlike strips.

ribbon

/ ˈrɪbən /

noun

1. a narrow strip of fine material, esp silk, used for trimming, tying, etc
2. something resembling a ribbon; a long strip

   a ribbon of land

3. a long thin flexible band of metal used as a graduated measure, spring, etc
4. a long narrow strip of ink-impregnated cloth for making the impression of type characters on paper in a typewriter or similar device
5. plural ragged strips or shreds (esp in the phrase torn to ribbons )
6. a small strip of coloured cloth signifying membership of an order or award of military decoration, prize, or other distinction
7. a small, usually looped, strip of coloured cloth worn to signify support for a charity or cause

   a red AIDS ribbon

verb

1. to adorn with a ribbon or ribbons
2. to mark with narrow ribbon-like marks
3. to reduce to ribbons; tear into strips

Derived Forms

• ˈribbon-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• rib·bon·like rib·bon·y adjective
• un·rib·boned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribbon¹

First recorded in 1520–30; variant of Middle English riban(d), from Old French, variant of r(e)uban, perhaps from Germanic; band ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribbon¹

C14 ryban , from Old French riban , apparently of Germanic origin; probably related to ring ¹, band ²

Example Sentences

“We won’t just write reports or cut ribbons,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, addressing skepticism that their initiative, known as DOGE, can achieve.

From New York Times

“So many memorials you see across the country share common elements like a ribbon or whatnot. This stands apart from those others. I think that speaks well for Palm Springs. It’s a unique community.”

From Los Angeles Times

This is clear in her use of unconventional materials like spoons, rosette prize ribbons, belts and silver plates — everyday items that she recontextualizes to stunning effect in dresses, skirts, and tops.

From Los Angeles Times

A plane dips low over a smoldering ridgetop and unleashes a ribbon of fire retardant, coating the hillside a bright pink.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was his escape — he is literally the person who undid the ribbon, so to speak,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bow
• decoration
• streamer
• strip
• stripe
• tape