ribbon

noun rib·bon \ ˈri-bən \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: ribbon in a Sentence

Definition of ribbon

1 a : a flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting

b : a narrow fabric used for tying packages

c : a piece of usually multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a medal

d : a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in a competition

2 : a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)

3 ribbons plural : reins for controlling an animal

4 : tatter, shred —usually used in plural

a sheet cut to ribbons

5 : ribband

—

ribbonlike

play \ˈri-bən-ˌlīk\ adjective

See ribbon defined for English-language learners

See ribbon defined for kids

Examples of ribbon in a Sentence

She wore pink ribbons in her hair.
She tied a ribbon around the present.
The present was tied with ribbon.
The soldier proudly wore his ribbons and medals.
Her pie won a ribbon at the county fair.

Recent Examples of ribbon from the Web

There are also red ribbons for second place, white ribbons for third, light-blue honorable mentions and judges’ favorite picks.

— richard chang, latimes.com, "Art offers a feast of a different kind for OC Fair visitors," 12 July 2018
Somerville is celebrating the completion of major renovations to Lincoln Park, at a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand reopening on Friday, July 20.

— john laidler, BostonGlobe.com, "Ribbon cutting for Somerville’s Lincoln Park renovation," 10 July 2018
Samsung Electronics is cutting the ribbon today, with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and South Korean president Moon Jae-in, on what is claimed to be the world’s biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant.

— sam byford, The Verge, "Samsung opens world’s biggest phone factory in India," 9 July 2018
Other classic Gucci motifs, like green and red grosgrain ribbon, pop up in many of the preppier pieces.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "These Clothes Are Only for the Most Stylish Toddlers," 9 July 2018
Guests are asked to wear small amounts of pink or to accept the pink ribbons that are passed out at the event in Ruya's honor, the International Rescue Committee in Boise said in a release.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Public memorial service to be held Saturday for 3-year-old killed in mass stabbing," 7 July 2018
Do-it-yourself props such as gravestones, ribbons, posters, wreaths, or other symbolic items can help drive your point home.

— jenni corwin, Teen Vogue, "What Exactly a Die-In Is, and How to Organize Your Own," 6 July 2018
In other words, there will be no pink ribbon strung up on a couple of sticks to block everything off.

— dan moran, Lake County News-Sun, "Moran: Lake County looks to rejuvenate pavement before wear-and-tear sets in," 6 July 2018
Finally, last month Hi-Fidelity finally held its soft open with Mayor Jesse Arreguín attending the ribbon cutting ceremony.

— graham hacia, Billboard, "Records & Reefer: Amoeba Music's Flagship Store in Berkeley Opens Hi-Fidelity Pot Shop to Boost Business," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ribbon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ribbon

Middle English riban, from Anglo-French ribane, rubane

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ribbon Synonyms

Synonyms

list, slip, strip;

Related Words

slat;

band, bandage, belt, binding, girth, strap, swatch, swath (or swathe), tape;

ribbon

verb

Definition of ribbon

ribboned; ribboning; ribbons

transitive verb

1 a : to adorn with ribbons

b : to divide into ribbons

c : to cover with or as if with ribbons

2 : to rip to shreds

Examples of ribbon in a Sentence

over the years the historic flag had become badly ribboned by the wind

Recent Examples of ribbon from the Web

Layers of cool hues and ribboned marble give the interior a quiet and calming vibe.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "Contemporary three-story displays a fresh face in Playa Vista," 2 May 2018
For instance, the exterior of the 33-story glassy tower is punctuated with full-height bay windows, and each floor is ribboned with a horizontal green band.

— pamela dittmer mckuen, chicagotribune.com, "New angular Loop apartment wants you to fall in love with its lines," 21 Dec. 2017
The croissants are Philly’s best, their whorling layers tanged with cultured butter and honey — even better ribboned with intense chocolate.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Hungry Pigeon serves comfort plates with a cheffy twist," 9 Dec. 2017
In the chef’s kitchen, ribboned calacatta marble countertops pair with custom white cabinetry.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "Former Angel Gary Matthews Jr. parts with a home base in Corona del Mar," 19 Oct. 2017
Perhaps the best example of this is Lasa’s lumpia sariwa, a menu staple that takes a traditional Filipino rice flour crepe and the cuisine’s signature bright, vinegary sauces and pairs them with a bed of ribboned kale.

— zan romanoff, Bon Appetit, "We Want Everything on the Menu at This New Cali-Filipino Restaurant," 12 Sep. 2017
For me, all the blue and gold ribboned boxes in the world can’t hold a candle to Passover.

— Orange County Register, "Cooking with Judy: Can’t beat the cuisine at the community Seder," 6 Apr. 2017
The English Channel was not a wide strip of water separating present-day England and France, but instead a frozen, river-ribboned tundra connecting the two lands.

— amina khan, latimes.com, "Natural Brexit: Britain's original separation from Europe left scars on English Channel," 5 Apr. 2017
CONSIDER THE BANKER BAG, that tubular gym bag, distinctly ribboned around its girth with the telltale logo of a financial institution.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "The Banker Bag Gets a Much-Needed Makeover," 8 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of ribbon

1656

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

RIBBON Defined for English Language Learners

ribbon

noun

Definition of ribbon for English Language Learners

: a narrow piece of cloth (such as silk) that is used to tie things or for decoration
: a short piece of cloth that is given as a military award
: a piece of colored cloth that is given as an award in a competition