ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ribbon

n. · v.
US //ˈɹɪbən// UK //ɹˈɪbən// rib·bon
  1. 1 decorative strip (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a long, thin piece of fabric used to tie hair, wrap gifts, or decorate clothes.

    a narrow strip of fine material, such as silk or velvet, used for trimming, tying, or ornamentation.

    Example

    She tied a bright red ribbon around the birthday present.

    Example

    The dress was adorned with intricate silk ribbons that trailed elegantly behind her as she walked.
  2. 2 symbolic loop (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small loop of coloured cloth worn to show support for a cause.

    an awareness ribbon worn as a symbol of support for a specific social or medical cause.

    Example

    Many people wore a pink ribbon to support breast cancer awareness.

    Example

    The charity distributed yellow ribbons to attendees as a gesture of solidarity with the families of the missing soldiers.
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  1. 3 shred or thin piece (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    a long, thin piece of something that has been torn or cut.

    a narrow strip or shred of material, often resulting from tearing or precise cutting.

    Example

    The chef cut the carrots into long, thin ribbons for the salad.

    Example

    The document was shredded into tiny ribbons, making it impossible for anyone to reconstruct the sensitive information.
  2. 4 software menu (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    the bar at the top of a computer program that holds all the tools and buttons.

    a graphical control element in the form of a set of toolbars placed on several tabs.

    Example

    You can find the font settings in the 'Home' tab on the ribbon.

    Example

    The latest software update redesigned the ribbon to make the most frequently used commands more accessible to novice users.
  3. 5 typewriter ink (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

    the strip of ink-covered cloth used in a typewriter to print letters.

    an inked strip of fabric or plastic used to transfer pigment to paper in typewriters or impact printers.

    Example

    The typewriter ribbon ran out of ink, so the letters became very faint.

    Example

    He spent the afternoon hunting for a replacement ribbon for his vintage typewriter, eventually finding one in a dusty stationery shop.

  4. 6 to decorate (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to add ribbons to something to make it look pretty.

    to adorn or decorate a garment or object with ribbons.

    Example

    The children ribboned the Maypole with long strands of blue and white cloth.

    Example

    The banquet hall was ribboned with festive streamers that caught the light of the chandeliers.
  5. 7 to form stripes (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to mark something with long, thin lines of colour.

    to mark or variegate a surface with long, narrow stripes or streaks.

    Example

    The setting sun ribboned the sky with orange and purple clouds.

    Example

    Veins of white quartz ribboned the dark granite of the cliff face, creating a striking natural pattern.
Origin

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”).

Idioms1 entry

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