crib

1 of 2

noun

ˈkrib 

1

: a manger for feeding animals

2

: an enclosure especially of framework: such as

a

: a stall for a stabled animal

b

: a small child's bedstead with high enclosing usually slatted sides

c

: any of various devices resembling a crate or framework in structure

d

: a building for storage : bin

3

a

: a small narrow room or dwelling : hut, shack

b

: a room or shack used for prostitution

4

: the cards discarded in cribbage for the dealer to use in scoring

5

a

: a small theft

b

: plagiarism

c

: a literal translation

especially : pony sense 3

d

: a summary and key to understanding a literary work

e

: something used for cheating in an examination

6

: crèche sense 1

crib

2 of 2

verb

cribbed; cribbing

transitive verb

1

: confine, cramp

2

: to provide with or put into a crib

especially : to line or support with a framework of timber

3

: pilfer, steal

especially : plagiarize

intransitive verb

1

a

: steal, plagiarize

b

: to use a crib : cheat

2

: to have the vice of cribbing

cribber noun

Examples of crib in a Sentence

Verb

She cribbed a line or two from her favorite poet.

students cribbing off each other's papers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There’ll be a baby corner, with a crib and maybe some safe paints. —Michael Snyder, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

And so were the blind pigs, the cribs and clubs and after-hours joints that Prohibition set up in business. —Nick Bowlin, Harper's Magazine, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English cribb; akin to Old High German krippa manger, and perhaps to Greek griphos reed basket

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing crib

• crib biting
• crib death
• crib sheet

Kids Definition

crib

1 of 2 noun

ˈkrib 

1

: a manger for feeding animals

2

: a small bed frame with high sides for a child

3

: a bin or building for storing grain

4

: the cards discarded in cribbage for the dealer to use in scoring

5

a

: pony sense 2

b

: something used for cheating on a test

crib

2 of 2 verb

cribbed; cribbing

1

: to copy (as an idea or piece of writing) and use as one's own : plagiarize

2

: to use a translation or notes dishonestly

cribber noun

Medical Definition

crib

noun

ˈkrib 

1

: a manger for feeding animals

2

a

: a stall for a stabled animal

b

: a small child's bedstead with high enclosing usually slatted sides