rib

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: rib / ribbed / ribbing / ribs on Thesaurus.com

noun

one of a series of curved bones that are articulated with the vertebrae and occur in pairs, 12 in humans, on each side of the vertebrate body, certain pairs being connected with the sternum and forming the thoracic wall.

a cut of meat, as beef, containing a rib.

ribs, spareribs (def. 2).

Architecture.

any of several archlike members of a vault supporting it at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces, or dividing these surfaces into panels: including ogives and tiercerons.
any of several molded members or moldings, including ridge ribs and liernes, and on the surface of a vault accenting the ridges or dividing the surface into panels.

something resembling a rib in form, position, or use, as a supporting or strengthening part.

a structural member that supports the shape of something: an umbrella rib.

Nautical. any of the curved framing members in a ship's hull that rise upward and outward from the keel; frame.

a stiffening beam cast as part of a concrete slab.

a primary vein of a leaf.

a vertical ridge in cloth, especially in knitted fabrics.

a ridge, as in poplin or rep, caused by heavy yarn.

a wife (in humorous allusion to the creation of Eve. Genesis 2:21–22).

Ceramics. a scraper for smoothing clay being thrown on a potter's wheel.

a metal ridge running along the top of the barrel of a firearm to simplify aligning the sights.

a longitudinal strip of metal joining the barrels of a double-barreled gun.

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to furnish or strengthen with ribs.

to enclose as with ribs.

to mark with riblike ridges or markings.

QUIZ

FIRE UP YOUR VOCAB FOR A "RED" SYNONYMS QUIZ

No fire engine reds here, only a fierce collection of vibrant words for the color red to test yourself on.

Question 1 of 7

What does "amaranth" mean?

a legendary stone of impenetrable hardness

an imaginary, undying flower

a mythical creature

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of rib

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with Old Frisian rib, reb, Old Icelandic rif, German Rippe; akin to Russian rebró “rib,” Greek orophḗ “roof, ceiling”

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

rib·ber, nounrib·less, adjectiverib·like, adjective

Words nearby rib

rial omani, rialto, riant, riata, Riau Archipelago, rib, R.I.B.A., ribald, ribaldry, riband, ribat

Other definitions for rib (2 of 2)

rib²

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to tease; make fun of.

Origin of rib

1925–30, Americanism; apparently short for rib-tickle (v.)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use rib in a sentence

That weekend, Willie made prime rib, which Renee said was the best she’s ever had.
Date Lab: One of our setups is still going strong two years later. We caught up with Willie and Renee for an update.|Marin Cogan|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Of course, I remember another where he did the same and took a really hard shot to the ribs and lost the ball on the way down.
The Packers Kicked A Field Goal, Josh Allen Had A Bad Day, And The GOAT And Baby GOAT Are Super Bowl-Bound|Sara Ziegler (sara.ziegler@fivethirtyeight.com)|January 25, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Throughout the ride, Dennis said, Danese put his knee on his back, punched him several times in the face and pulled his neck back in a prolonged chokehold while punching his ribs.
Still Can’t Breathe|by Topher Sanders, ProPublica, and Yoav Gonen, THE CITY, video by Lucas Waldron, ProPublica|January 21, 2021|ProPublica
Popular materials for these winter hats include wool, cashmere, and rib-knit.
Best winter hats: Comfortable hats to keep you warm|Carsen Joenk|January 20, 2021|Popular-Science

All-everything defensive tackle Aaron Donald exited the Rams’ first-round victory with a rib injury.
What to know from NFL playoffs first round: Lamar Jackson wins and Tom Brady finds a way|Adam Kilgore|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
Veselka layered its latke with pork goulash, and Toloache added beef short rib chorizo.
I Ate Potato Pancakes Til I Plotzed|Emily Shire|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maybe I could turn all these quarters into some kind of rib-sticking casserole.
‘Asteroids’ & The Dawn of the Gamer Age|David Owen|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She suffered 10 broken bones, missing and broken teeth, a fractured rib, and a severely ruptured liver.
Deep Thoughts from War Machine's Sexist, Racist Prison Blog|Melissa Leon|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
French and Crown one rib rack and season with salt and pepper, cover exposed bones with foil, cook in oven at 350 for 2.5 hours.
Epic Meal Empire’s Meat Monstrosities: From the Bacon Spider to the Cinnabattleship|Harley Morenstein|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year his left shoulder was dislocated, and a week later he was hospitalized for ten days with torn rib cartilages.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Benny gave them no peace at all until they had admired his wonderful new stockings, and felt of each rib.
The Box-Car Children|Gertrude Chandler Warner
If glue is used, there is danger of breaking two or more ribs, should it be necessary to remove a broken or defective rib.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
He cud devote his life to paintin' wan rib iv a fan, f'r which he got two dollars, or he cud become a cab horse.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
A rib springs from the additional shafts to the centre of the corner column.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle|C. King Eley
The rapier had penetrated, just under the right breast, almost to the rib.
The Child of Pleasure|Gabriele D'Annunzio

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

rib¹

/ (rɪb) /

noun

any of the 24 curved elastic arches of bone that together form the chest wall in man. All are attached behind to the thoracic part of the spinal columnTechnical name: costa Compare true rib, false ribs, floating rib

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

a cut of meat including one or more ribs

a part or element similar in function or appearance to a rib, esp a structural or supporting member or a raised strip or ridge

a structural member in a wing that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge and maintains the shape of the wing surface

a projecting moulding or band on the underside of a vault or ceiling, which may be structural or ornamental

one of a series of raised rows in knitted fabricSee also ribbing (def. 3)

a raised ornamental line on the spine of a book where the stitching runs across it

any of the transverse stiffening timbers or joists forming the frame of a ship's hull

any of the larger veins of a leaf

a metal strip running along the top of the barrel of a shotgun or handgun and guiding the alignment of the sights

a vein of ore in rock

a projecting ridge of a mountain; spur

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

to furnish or support with a rib or ribs

to mark with or form into ribs or ridges

to knit plain and purl stitches alternately in order to make raised rows in (knitting)

archaic to enclose with or as if with ribs

Derived forms of rib

ribless, adjectiveriblike, adjective

Word Origin for rib

Old English ribb; related to Old High German rippi, Old Norse rif reef 1

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

rib²

/ (rɪb) informal /

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

(tr) to tease or ridicule

noun

a joke or hoax

Word Origin for rib

C20: short for rib-tickle (vb)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for rib

rib

[ rĭb ]

One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.

Scientific definitions for rib

rib

[ rĭb ]

Any of a series of long, curved bones extending from the spine and enclosing the chest cavity. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the ribs curve toward the center of the chest and in most cases attach to the sternum (breastbone). There are 12 pairs of ribs in humans. See more at skeleton.

One of the main veins of a leaf.

Other Idioms and Phrases with rib

rib

see stick to the ribs.

rib

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Words nearby rib

Other definitions for rib (2 of 2)

Origin of rib

Words related to rib

How to use rib in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for rib

Scientific definitions for rib

Other Idioms and Phrases with rib