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

The county board of supervisors voted last year to require that many government buildings — including lifeguard facilities — fly the rainbow flag, which has extra stripes representing people of color and transgender and nonbinary people, throughout Pride month. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

In the first image, Perry donned a pair of leather hot pants with a motorcycle chain detail teamed with a matching biker jacket featuring a double white stripe down its arms. —Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 6 June 2024

Verb

In photos exclusively obtained by PEOPLE, the Stranger Things star was dressed casually in a white tank top, pink and white striped pants and sandals, while her husband wore loose-fitting lightwash jeans, sneakers and a navy t-shirt with sunglasses. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024

On Monday May 6, the 7th Heaven alum appeared at the Met Gala in an elegant pink Tamara Ralph Couture gown with a plunging neckline and 3D striped coque feathers and crystals. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 10 May 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