crib

1 of 2

noun

plural cribs
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
chiefly African American English slang : home sense 1a
I just wasn't in school. I was at the crib, chilling …unidentified speaker, quoted in Corpus of Regional African American Language
c
: a room or shack used for sex work
4
: the cards discarded in cribbage for the dealer to use in scoring
5
a
: a small theft
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

crib

2 of 2

verb

cribbed; cribbing

transitive verb

1
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In the lovely family photo, Griner and Cherelle stand before their son’s crib, posing beside each other, perfect for the holidays. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 Nov. 2024 In the adorable photo of the family of three, Griner and Cherelle stand in front of their son's crib, posing next to each other. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
Smash’s Megan Hilty steps into the Meryl Streep part (and cribs Streep’s bio for her own in the Playbill) as the deluded actress Madeline Ashton. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 The following table, with information cribbed from MoneyPuck, captures Vancouver’s aversion to lining Pettersson up with Garland and Joshua. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for crib 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of crib was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near crib

Cite this Entry

“Crib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crib. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

crib

1 of 2 noun
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
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
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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