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rib

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

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. Gen. 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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rib

before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with German Rippe

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

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

Words nearby rib

rial omani, rialto, riant, riata, riau archipelago, rib, rib cage, rib eye, rib roast, rib steak, rib-knit

Definition 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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for rib

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
This must be from the early ‘40s, the Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, Adam’s Rib.
How I Write: Richard Posner|Noah Charney|November 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Or that food thermometers can end up contaminating your rib roast?
This Week’s Hot Reads: Nov. 19, 2012|Nicholas Mancusi, Jimmy So|November 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Goalkeeper Tim Howard has officially been passed fit to face Slovenia after sustaining a rib injury in the England game.
World Cup Primer|Joshua Robinson|June 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST

“I got a scratch on my rib cage and on a breast” she said, matter-of-factly.
Marina Abramovic's Full-Frontal Art|Anthony Haden-Guest|March 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But there was only one rib broke, and I guess it healed all right, because she was young and tough.
Swatty|Ellis Parker Butler
The pistol shot had only broken a rib, and he had finished the work with a dagger.
Sir Walter Ralegh|William Stebbing
RIB—That part of man's self of which he thinks the least and brags the most.
A Guide to Men|Helen Rowland
Will Craine, who trained ye Cheshire hounds, came in twelfth on Rib.
Old Country Inns of England|Henry P. Maskell
Distance between head and tubercle greater on second rib than on first, and on third is greater than on second.
The Beaked Whales of the Family Ziphidae|Frederick True

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 ]

n.

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.

Idioms and Phrases with rib

rib

see stick to the ribs.

rib

noun

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

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Words nearby rib

Definition for rib (2 of 2)

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

Origin of rib

Words related to rib

Example sentences from the Web for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (1 of 2)

noun

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for rib (2 of 2)

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

noun

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for rib

n.

Scientific definitions for rib

Idioms and Phrases with rib