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ribbon

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɪbən/

The English word “ribbon” has 17 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.
  2. An awareness ribbon.
  3. An inked strip of material against which type is pressed to print letters in a typewriter or printer.
  4. A narrow strip or shred.
  5. In ice cream and similar confections, an ingredient (often chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, or fudge) added in a long narrow strip.
  6. A painted moulding on the side of a ship.
  7. A watchspring.
  8. A bandsaw.
  9. Reins for a horse.
  10. A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.
  11. A sliver.
  12. A subheadline presented above its parent headline.
  13. A toolbar that incorporates tabs and menus.
  14. An apparatus with a handle and a long narrow strip of fabric.
  15. An apparatus program with a ribbon.

verb

  1. To decorate with ribbon.
  2. To stripe or streak.

Etymology

From Middle English riban, ryban, ryband, from Old French riban, ruban ( > modern French ruban), of uncertain origin. Likely from a Germanic compound whose second element is cognate with English band. Compare Middle Dutch ringhband (“necklace”, literally “ring-band”).

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