ribbon

1 of 2

noun

rib·​bon ˈri-bən How to pronounce ribbon (audio)
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
ribbonlike 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

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
The invitation is out to join the ribbon cutting for the shop’s new location at 150 W. Main St. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Debby Rice, The Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2024 These ribbons are the perfect accessory for formal events or casual days. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024
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 See all Example Sentences for ribbon 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ribbon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribbon was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ribbon

Cite this Entry

“Ribbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribbon. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on ribbon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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