Möbius strip

noun

Mö·​bi·​us strip ˈmœ-bē-əs- How to pronounce Möbius strip (audio)
ˈmər-,
ˈmə-,
ˈmō- How to pronounce Möbius strip (audio)
: a one-sided surface that is constructed from a rectangle by holding one end fixed, rotating the opposite end through 180 degrees, and joining it to the first end

Illustration of Möbius strip

Illustration of möbius strip

Word History

Etymology

August F. Möbius †1868 German mathematician

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Möbius strip was in 1904

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Möbius strip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/M%C3%B6bius%20strip. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

Möbius strip

noun
Mö·​bi·​us strip ˌmə(r)-bē-əs- How to pronounce Möbius strip (audio) ˌmō- How to pronounce Möbius strip (audio)
: a one-sided surface made by holding one end of a rectangle in place, twisting the rectangle to turn over the other end, and joining the two ends together
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