Main Entry:

¹rib·bon

Pronunciation:

\ˈri-bən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English riban, from Anglo-French ribane, rubane

Date:

14th century

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 competition2: a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)3plural : reins for controlling an animal4: tatter, shred —usually used in plural <a sheet cut to ribbons>5: ribband

— rib·bon·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective