stripe

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈstrīp 

: a stroke or blow with a rod or lash

stripe

2 of 3

verb

striped ˈstrīpt  ; striping

transitive verb

: to make stripes on or variegate with stripes

stripe

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

a

: a line or long narrow section differing in color or texture from parts adjoining

b(1)

: a textile design consisting of lines or bands against a plain background

(2)

: a fabric with a striped design

2

: a narrow strip of braid or embroidery usually in the shape of a bar, arc, or chevron that is worn (as on the sleeve of a military uniform) to indicate rank or length of service

3

: a distinct variety or sort : type

persons of the same political stripe

stripeless

ˈstrī-pləs 

adjective

Synonyms of stripe

Noun (1)

• swipe
• punch
• blow
• stroke
• thump
• slap
• hit
• thud
• whack
• knock
• pound
• lick
• poke
• spank
• smack
• clip
• bang
• beat
• sock
• switch
• belt

Verb

• streak

Noun (2)

• streak

Examples of stripe in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the prisoner was sentenced to receive 20 stripes with a bamboo pole

Verb

the children carefully striped the paper with red and blue paint

Noun (2)

the United States flag has seven red stripes

singers of every stripe will perform at the benefit concert

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Police said she was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and white sneakers with a black stripe. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Using special urine test stripes, the device also collects data on a cat’s urinary health. —Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026

Verb

Our journey culminates in a gathering around the ceremonial South Pole, candy-cane striped and flanked by international flags—the symbolic marker of where all lines of longitude meet (the geographic South Pole is several feet away and must be moved every year due to geology). —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026

The intimate Marais shop boasts gems like a transparent vinyl Comme des Garçons trench and a Jean-Paul Gaultier striped dress with oversized hood, and also creates its own collections and collaborations with local designers, all made from upcycled material. —Clara Giampellegrini, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, welt, long scar, blow, probably from stripe band on a garment

Verb

Middle English, to place bands or edging on (a garment), from Middle Dutch stripan, from stripe, strepe stripe; akin to Middle High German strīfe stripe

Noun (2)

Middle English, band or stripe on a garment, in part from stripen, verb, in part from Middle Dutch stripe

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing stripe

• pin stripe
• service stripe

Rhymes for stripe

• gripe
• hype
• lipe
• pipe
• ripe
• sipe
• skype
• snipe
• stipe
• strype
• swipe
• tripe

Kids Definition

stripe

1 of 3 noun

ˈstrīp 

: a stroke or blow with a rod or part of a whip

stripe

2 of 3 verb

striped ˈstrīpt  ; striping

: to make stripes on

stripe

3 of 3 noun

1

: a line or long narrow section differing in color or appearance from the background

2

: a piece of braid (as on the sleeve) to indicate military rank or length of service

stripeless

ˈstrī-pləs 

adjective