ribbon

noun

rib·bon | \ ˈri-bən

Definition of ribbon

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

ribbon

verb

ribboned; ribboning; ribbons

Definition of ribbon (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to adorn with ribbons

b : to divide into ribbons

c : to cover with or as if with ribbons

2 : to rip to shreds

Other Words from ribbon Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about ribbon

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Synonyms for ribbon

Synonyms: Noun

list, slip, strip

Synonyms: Verb

rend, rip, rive, shred, tatter, tear

Examples of ribbon in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Following that public appearance, Audrey Hepburn was granted permission to wear the diamond, in a Jean Schlumberger necklace of diamond ribbons surrounding the stone, for publicity photographs for her iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lady Gaga Just Showed up to the Oscars in One of the World's Most Famous Pieces of Jewelry," 25 Feb. 2019 At that moment, with a symbolic slice of a crimson ribbon, the largest immigrant rights organization in California claimed a space in the nation’s capital. — Theresa Vargas, Washington Post, "Washington has a new, notable tenant — and it’s not Amazon or Apple," 18 May 2018 But while the ceremonial event concluded with a snip of the ribbon, converting the former Superfund site to a boater-friendly facility was a cumbersome process that stretched out over the better part of a decade. — Bob Warren, NOLA.com, "Slidell Superfund site becomes marina with snip of ribbon - and years of work," 18 May 2018 The words of her book are intoned, projected, slipped into our hands on streams of ribbon. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "SITI Company and Ann Hamilton set sail for Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'," 30 Apr. 2018 Add the beets and most of the radicchio ribbons, reserving a few for garnish. — San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Yellow Beets and Harissa Onions," 18 Apr. 2018 Arrange half of the asparagus ribbons over the leeks and cheese, and then use the vegetable peeler to shave some Parmesan over the top. — Sarah Fritsche, San Francisco Chronicle, "Recipe: Flatbread With Leeks, Ricotta & Shaved Asparagus," 22 Mar. 2018 The foot-tall cake topper has the miniature bride and groom standing on a base under a frilly framework of ribbons and silk flowers. — Jim Stingl, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stingl: Tiny groom and bride cake topper spans 78 years — and 8 family weddings," 6 Feb. 2018 The red carpet has been no stranger to political and social statements in recent years, from the blue ACLU ribbons at the 2017 Academy Awards to the 2018 Golden Globes blackout in support of the Time's Up and #MeToo movements. — Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, "Black-ish Star Jennifer Lewis Wears Nike to the 2018 Emmys to Support Colin Kaepernick," 17 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

For decades, the viaduct provided shelter to homeless people below, who lived underneath decks of asphalt and steel that ribboned along the Puget Sound. — Vianna Davila, The Seattle Times, "As the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down, so does a longtime shelter for Seattle’s homeless," 13 Jan. 2019 One of the original highways in the U.S. highway system, Route 66 stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, totaling in 2,448 miles of ribboning highway. — Lydia Culp, Fox News, "Best US road trips," 2 Apr. 2018 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

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.