spareribs

plural noun

spare·​ribs ˈsper-ˌ(r)ibz 

-əbz

: a cut of pork ribs separated from the bacon strip

Examples of spareribs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Come for the mochiko chicken or the saimin broth studded with pork spareribs. — Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 12 Oct. 2022

Better yet, grab a spot on the outdoor patio and pair your beers with beef tri-tip or pork spareribs from neighboring Soulbelly BBQ, which was opened this spring by Top Chef contestant Bruce Kalman. — Danielle Bauter, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2021

The baby back ribs get dry rubbed, smoked, then grilled, and the pork spareribs are slow-roasted over hickory then basted with the house sauce. — Nathan Mattise, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2021

In dim sum restaurants small chunks of pork spareribs are steamed with black beans. — Clarissa Wei, Bon Appétit, 19 Oct. 2020

Bring the family and your appetite for tri-tip, chicken, pulled pork and spareribs, complemented by the full salad bar, juice bar, deli sandwiches, local craft beer and kombucha on tap. — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from Low German ribbesper pickled pork ribs roasted on a spit, from Middle Low German, from ribbe rib + sper spear, spit

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spareribs

• bibs
• cribs
• nibs
• ribs
• squibs
• caribs

Kids Definition

spareribs

plural noun

spare·​ribs ˈspa(ə)r-ˌ(r)ibz 

ˈspe(ə)r-

: a cut of pork ribs separated from the bacon strips

Etymology

derived from a German dialect word ribbesper "pickled pork ribs roasted on a spit," derived from ribbe "rib" and sper "spear, spit"; probably spelled spareribs in English because of the misunderstanding of the meaning of the German word sper