rib

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

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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.

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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

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

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; probably from rib¹ (because tickling the ribs provokes laughter)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rib in a sentence

That left reserves at wide receiver for Drew Brees, who was making his first start after he was sidelined for four games with broken ribs and a punctured lung.
The Steelers, Saints and Rams aren’t finishing strong. For the playoffs, it might not matter.|Neil Greenberg|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
It is Brees’s second game back in the Saints’ lineup after missing four games because of fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
Alvin Kamara’s six-touchdown greatness gives the Saints another division crown|Mark Maske|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
Then cover the sides of the pole with tree branches to act as ribs.
Winter survival shelters you should know how to build|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|December 21, 2020|Popular-Science
It’s still unclear whether New Orleans QB Drew Brees will make his long-awaited return from the rib and lung injuries he suffered in Week 10, or if Taysom Hill will start for the fifth straight week.
The Dolphins Are Making A Name For Themselves With Their No-Name Defense|Ty Schalter|December 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Because of a beef shortage, there was no rib-eye available, and I wasn’t willing to compromise.
Give in to pandemic cravings, starting with a homemade cheesesteak sandwich|David Hagedorn|December 10, 2020|Washington Post
He could hear Bob playing: "Way down upon de Suwannee ribber" on his concertina, and it made him nice and sad.
The Forsyte Saga, Volume III.|John Galsworthy
What lines were to follow, and what words rhymed with "ribber" and "horn," we are not permitted to know.
The Master of Warlock|George Cary Eggleston
Far behind, at the very edge of the vast dark throng, some voices began singing: "Way down upon the Swanee ribber."
The Patrician|John Galsworthy
"Nebber knowed one ob dem t'ings t' come so far up de ribber," declared one of the colored men.
The Moving Picture Girls Under the Palms|Laura Lee Hope
Ev'y steamboat that come a-sailin' up de ribber brought beaux for Miss Lizzy Betty.
A House Party with the Tucker Twins|Nell Speed

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

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

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

Scientific definitions for rib

Other Idioms and Phrases with rib