# rib

/ˈɹɪb/ (US) · /ɹˈɪb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rib
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. anatomy

noun · CEFR B1

one of the curved bones in your chest that protect your heart and lungs.

For teachers: any of the series of long curved bones extending from the spine toward the sternum in vertebrates.

- He fell off his bike and cracked a rib on the left side of his chest.
- The radiologist confirmed a hairline fracture in the seventh rib, though fortunately the lung remained unpunctured by the impact.

### 2. food

noun · CEFR B1

a piece of meat that includes a rib bone.

For teachers: a cut of meat, such as beef or pork, containing one or more rib bones.

- We ordered a full rack of sticky barbecue ribs for the table.
- The chef slow-roasted the prime rib for six hours, ensuring the meat was tender enough to fall away from the bone.

### 3. structural support

noun · CEFR B2

a curved piece of wood or metal used to support a structure like a boat or a roof.

For teachers: a structural member used to provide shape and strength to a hull, wing, or vaulted ceiling.

- The wooden ribs of the old ship were still visible in the sand.
- Engineers inspected the carbon-fibre ribs of the aircraft wing to ensure they could withstand the stresses of high-altitude flight.

### 4. textiles/plants

noun · CEFR B2

a raised line in a piece of cloth or on a leaf.

For teachers: a raised ridge in knitted fabric or the prominent central vein of a leaf.

- The sweater has a thick rib around the neck and cuffs.
- The botanist noted the distinct pattern of the ribs on the underside of the leaf, which helped identify the rare species.

### 5. a joke

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a friendly joke or a piece of teasing.

For teachers: an instance of good-natured teasing or a playful joke at someone's expense.

- It was just a little rib about his new haircut, nothing serious.
- The veteran officer gave the rookie a gentle rib about his polished boots, welcoming him into the team with humor.

### 7. to tease

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to joke with someone in a friendly way.

For teachers: to tease or mock someone in a good-natured, non-malicious manner.

- His friends liked to rib him about his obsession with vintage cars.
- The colleagues would often rib each other during lunch breaks, though they remained deeply respectful in professional settings.

## Examples

- He fell off his bike and broke a rib.
- The doctor examined the X-ray to see if the patient had cracked a rib during the accident.
- The architect designed the ceiling with exposed timber ribs to mimic the skeletal structure of a great whale, creating a sense of organic strength within the hall.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.