jib

1 of 3

verb

ˈjib 

jibbed; jibbing

intransitive verb

: to refuse to proceed further : balk

jibber noun

jib

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a triangular sail set on a stay extending usually from the head of the foremast to the bowsprit or the jibboom

also : the small triangular headsail on a sloop see sail illustration

jib

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the projecting arm of a crane

2

: a derrick boom

Examples of jib in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The chair also gives way to Bandit Park, Kirkwood’s mellower terrain park, where our snowboard testers spent countless hours jibbing playful rails and hitting small- to medium-sized jumps. — Drew Zieff, Outside, 21 Nov. 2025

Then to jib down and find that sad ignominy of his body in the sack with the bloodstain. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025

Noun

Rigged with North Sails canvas featuring a 9-sq-m (97-sq-ft) reefable mainsail and a 2-sq-m (22-sq- ft) jib, the boat is built to sail efficiently in light to moderate winds. — Omar Kardoudi march 13, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026

In total, the terrain parks feature 60-plus rails, jumps, jibs, and boxes, and host a number of events each season. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably from jib to shift from one side of a ship to the other, perhaps from jib entry 2

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

probably by shortening & alteration from gibbet

First Known Use

Verb

1811, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1661, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing jib

• cut of one's jib
• flying jib

Rhymes for jib

• bib
• bibb
• crib
• gib
• glib
• lib
• mib
• nib
• rib
• sib
• squib
• imatinib

Kids Definition

jib

noun

ˈjib

: a triangular sail set on a line running from the bow to the head of the foremast