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
Visitors came from near and far to sample traditional dishes like hot and sour soup, large housemade crispy egg rolls, pork spareribs, fried wontons, Mongolian beef, and fresh whole Mandarin fish.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 2 Aug. 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
Tex Mex BBQ has a privileged position near section 137 offering grass-fed natural Angus beef brisket tacos and Berkshire pork spareribs, among other rotating specials.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 17 June 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
Or try the upscale MW Restaurant for a plate of sweet and sour Mt. View Farms spareribs or the grilled hamachi kama.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2020
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
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Lauren Joseph, Bon Appétit, 12 Oct. 2022
Visitors came from near and far to sample traditional dishes like hot and sour soup, large housemade crispy egg rolls, pork spareribs, fried wontons, Mongolian beef, and fresh whole Mandarin fish.
—Megha McSwain, Chron, 2 Aug. 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
Tex Mex BBQ has a privileged position near section 137 offering grass-fed natural Angus beef brisket tacos and Berkshire pork spareribs, among other rotating specials.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 17 June 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
Or try the upscale MW Restaurant for a plate of sweet and sour Mt. View Farms spareribs or the grilled hamachi kama.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2020
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
Cite this Entry
“Spareribs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spareribs. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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