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 called ribbon board. Also called ledger, ledger board. Also called ribbon strip,. Carpentry.,  Also a thin horizontal piece attached to studding to support the ends of joists.

9. Architecture.,  came.

10. Nautical.,  Also a distinctive narrow band or stripe painted along the exterior of a hull.

11. Shipbuilding.,  ribband.

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

Other Word Forms

• ribbonlike adjective
• ribbony adjective
• unribboned adjective
• ribbon-like 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

Even now the team is fighting for more — at Betty Bazar’s recent ribbon cutting, the team got a commitment from a state senator to fund more shade structures, said Kadribegovic.

From Los Angeles Times

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who cut the ribbon at the development project on Wednesday, told the BBC there was "a live conversation between government departments and the pharma industry" on drug pricing.

From BBC

“It’s so simple, but he claims his territory with that ribbon,” Francis said.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, many of the handbag straps feature washers strung on ribbons, referencing a series of jewelry designs Anni Albers made with Alexander Reed in 1940.

From Los Angeles Times

“Today, we are not just cutting a ribbon,” Braverman said as onlookers gathered along the wharf.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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