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

From a $210 bedside bassinet on major sale for $80 to a four-in-one convertible crib for under $170, there are plenty of Prime Day deals on nursery furniture. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 16 July 2024

The department has distributed more than 1,000 cribs to those who need them, Mussman said. —Ruth Cronin, The Enquirer, 11 July 2024

Verb

But just as frequently, cult classics and fringe cinema are reactive rather than revolutionary, heavily cribbing from the more acclaimed and visible genre fare of their day while applying a trashy, tasteless sheen to the stories being spiritually retold. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 July 2024

Thus cabined, cribbed, and confined, the left can hardly be surprised that its agenda has again dropped out of sight. —Harper's Magazine, 21 June 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