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 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 of ribbon

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

Priced at $1,450, the pumps add an almost weightless quality to the outfit, with their barely-there construction echoing the transparency of the ribbon skirt. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Rocha developed Parker’s dress from an existing show piece, reworking its hand-laced, unraveling ribbons in a pale ballet pink intended as a nod to pointe shoes. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

The White House under President Biden used to complain when Republicans would go out to ribbon cuttings of projects that were funded by Biden's infrastructure law. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Mesquite and acacia trees ribbon the lower elevations, while Douglas firs and ponderosa pine line the upper reaches. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026

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