stripe

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstrīp 

: a stroke or blow with a rod or lash

stripe

2 of 3

verb

striped ˈstrīpt  ; striping

transitive verb

: to make stripes on or variegate with stripes

stripe

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a line or long narrow section differing in color or texture from parts adjoining

b(1)

: a textile design consisting of lines or bands against a plain background

(2)

: a fabric with a striped design

2

: a narrow strip of braid or embroidery usually in the shape of a bar, arc, or chevron that is worn (as on the sleeve of a military uniform) to indicate rank or length of service

3

: a distinct variety or sort : type

persons of the same political stripe

stripeless

ˈstrī-pləs 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bang
• bash
• bat
• beat
• belt
• biff
• blow
• bop
• box
• buffet
• bust
• chop
• clap
• clip
• clout
• crack
• cuff
• dab
• douse [British]
• fillip
• hack
• haymaker
• hit
• hook
• knock
• larrup [dialect]
• lash
• lick
• pelt
• pick
• plump
• poke
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slug
• smack
• smash
• sock
• spank
• stinger
• stroke
• swat
• swipe
• switch
• thud
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• welt
• whack
• wham
• whop
• whap

Verb

• band
• bar
• streak

Noun (2)

• band
• bar
• streak

Examples of stripe in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the prisoner was sentenced to receive 20 stripes with a bamboo pole

Verb

the children carefully striped the paper with red and blue paint

Noun (2)

the United States flag has seven red stripes

singers of every stripe will perform at the benefit concert

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Enter this quarter-zip style from Lands’ End, which is designed in soft cotton with bold stripes and ribbing throughout the material. —Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

House Republicans of every stripe were seen rotating in and out of the speaker's office on Thursday -- including House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Texas Rep. Chip Roy and Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris of Maryland. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024

Verb

Striped Sunflower Seed Large striped sunflower seed has thick black and white striped shells that add considerable weight to the bag. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2024

Twelve to a box, Thin Mints candy canes are striped green and brown, which makes sense, but also camouflages them into invisibility on a Christmas tree. —John Graham, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, welt, long scar, blow, probably from stripe band on a garment

Verb

Middle English, to place bands or edging on (a garment), from Middle Dutch stripan, from stripe, strepe stripe; akin to Middle High German strīfe stripe

Noun (2)

Middle English, band or stripe on a garment, in part from stripen, verb, in part from Middle Dutch stripe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stripe

• service stripe

Kids Definition

stripe

1 of 3 noun

ˈstrīp 

: a stroke or blow with a rod or part of a whip

stripe

2 of 3 verb

striped ˈstrīpt  ; striping

: to make stripes on

stripe

3 of 3 noun

1

: a line or long narrow section differing in color or appearance from the background

2

: a piece of braid (as on the sleeve) to indicate military rank or length of service

stripeless

ˈstrī-pləs 

adjective