ribbon

1 of 2

noun

rib·​bon ˈri-bən 

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

ˈri-bən-ˌlīk 

adjective

ribbon

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• strip

Verb

• tear
• rip

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

He was granted approval to wear a small black ribbon instead. —Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2025

For those watching Detroit real estate development, get ready for more ribbon cuttings, grand openings, and a couple of big groundbreakings in 2025. —Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 3 July 2025

Verb

Here’s a peek at the new flavors and some of the ingredients that inspired them: Lemon curd & whey This light and citrusy flavor uses whey as a substitute for lemon juice to make lemon curd that ribbons throughout the ice cream base. —oregonlive, 24 May 2023

Introduce the color in small doses: a throw on the couch, ribbon on a wreath, trim around a lampshade, or even gift wrap on the packages. —Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English riban, from Anglo-French ribane, rubane

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ribbon

• blue ribbon
• red ribbon
• ribbon development
• ribbon worm

Rhymes for ribbon

• inhibin

Kids Definition

ribbon

noun

rib·​bon

ˈrib-ən

1

a

: a narrow usually closely woven strip of colorful fabric (as silk) used especially for decoration

b

: a ribbon worn as a military decoration or as a symbol of a medal

c

: a ribbon given as an award in a competition

2

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

3

: tatter sense 1, shred

—usually used in plural

torn to ribbons

ribbonlike

-ˌlīk

adjective