ribbon

1 of 2

noun

rib·​bon ˈri-bən 

1

a

: a flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting

b

: a narrow fabric used for tying packages

c

: a piece of usually multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a medal

d

: a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in a competition

2

: a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)

3

ribbons plural : reins for controlling an animal

4

: tatter, shred

—usually used in plural

a sheet cut to ribbons

5

: ribband

ribbonlike

ˈri-bən-ˌlīk 

adjective

ribbon

2 of 2

verb

ribboned; ribboning; ribbons

transitive verb

1

a

: to adorn with ribbons

b

: to divide into ribbons

c

: to cover with or as if with ribbons

2

: to rip to shreds

Synonyms

Noun

• list
• slip
• strip

Verb

• rend
• rip
• rive
• shred
• tatter
• tear

Examples of ribbon in a Sentence

Noun

She wore pink ribbons in her hair.

She tied a ribbon around the present.

The present was tied with ribbon.

The soldier proudly wore his ribbons and medals.

Her pie won a ribbon at the county fair.

Verb

over the years the historic flag had become badly ribboned by the wind

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The company is planning a series of pop-up shops where licensed products will be showcased and personalized gifts, ribbon machines, coffee or hot chocolate carts will be offered to create a holiday atmosphere. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024

In autumn, light spills through the trees in golden ribbons, setting the forest floor alight with color. —Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Here’s a peek at the new flavors and some of the ingredients that inspired them: Lemon curd & whey This light and citrusy flavor uses whey as a substitute for lemon juice to make lemon curd that ribbons throughout the ice cream base. —oregonlive, 24 May 2023

Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages. —Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English riban, from Anglo-French ribane, rubane

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ribbon

• blue ribbon
• red ribbon
• ribbon development
• ribbon worm

Kids Definition

ribbon

noun

rib·​bon

ˈrib-ən

1

a

: a narrow usually closely woven strip of colorful fabric (as silk) used especially for decoration

b

: a ribbon worn as a military decoration or as a symbol of a medal

c

: a ribbon given as an award in a competition

2

: a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)

3

: tatter sense 1, shred

—usually used in plural

torn to ribbons

ribbonlike

-ˌlīk

adjective