stripe

¹ American  

[strahyp] / straɪp /

noun

1. a relatively long, narrow band of a different color, appearance, weave, material, or nature from the rest of a surface or thing.

   the stripes of a zebra.

2. a fabric or material containing such a band or bands.

3. a strip of braid, tape, or the like.

4. stripes,

   1. a number or combination of such strips, worn on a military, naval, or other uniform as a badge of rank, service, good conduct, combat wounds, etc.

   2. Informal. status or recognition as a result of one's efforts, experience, or achievements.

      She earned her stripes as a traveling sales representative and then moved up to district manager.

5. a strip, or long, narrow piece of anything.

   a stripe of beach.

6. a streak or layer of a different nature within a substance.

7. style, variety, sort, or kind.

   a man of quite a different stripe.

8. Also called magnetic stripe.  Movies. a strip of iron oxide layer on the edge of a film that is used for recording and reproducing a magnetic sound track.

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verb (used with object)

striped, striping

1. to mark or furnish with a stripe or stripes.

stripe ² American  

[strahyp] / straɪp /

noun

1. a stroke with a whip, rod, etc., as in punishment.

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stripe ¹ British  

/ straɪp /

noun

1. a relatively long band of distinctive colour or texture that differs from the surrounding material or background

2. a fabric having such bands

3. a strip, band, or chevron of fabric worn on a military uniform, etc, esp one that indicates rank

4. kind; sort; type

   a man of a certain stripe

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verb

1. (tr) to mark with a stripe or stripes

stripe ² British  

/ straɪp /

noun

1. a stroke from a whip, rod, cane, etc

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Other Word Forms

• stripeless adjective

Etymology

Origin of stripe¹

First recorded in 1620–30; probably from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German strīpe; strip ², stripe ²

Origin of stripe²

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English; obscurely akin to stripe ¹

Example Sentences

"One of the downsides of the navy blue stripe is that it does not stand out on the pitch, whereas this one is really distinctive."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

There was a horizontal stripe down the shirt, she said.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

He’s a Democrat, and I’m a Republican, but his advice is sound for moms and dads of any stripe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Designed with movement in mind, this Gucci sneaker features the brand’s signature stripe and an elastic back, so you can rock the look heel on or off.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025

Just above his left ear, a groove cut through his hair like a racing stripe.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• ribbon