ribbon Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any long object resembling a thin line
thread.
- a mere ribbon of land
- the lighted ribbon of traffic
- from the air the road was a grey thread
- a thread of smoke climbed upward
noun an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
laurel wreath; decoration; palm; medallion; medal.
noun a long strip of inked material for making characters on paper with a typewriter
typewriter ribbon.
noun notion consisting of a narrow strip of fine material used for trimming

OE. riban, OF. riban, F. ruban, probably of German origin; cf. D. ringband collar, necklace, E. ring circle, and band.

A fillet or narrow woven fabric, commonly of silk, used for trimming some part of a woman's attire, for badges, and other decorative purposes.
A narrow strip or shred; as, a steel or magnesium ribbon; sails torn to ribbons.
(Shipbuilding) Same as Rib-band.
pl. Driving reins. Cant London Athenæum.
(Her.) A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.
(Spinning) A silver. ✍ The blue ribbon, and The red ribbon, are phrases often used to designate the British orders of the Garter and of the Bath, respectively, the badges of which are suspended by ribbons of these colors. See Blue ribbon, under Blue.

imperfect & past participle Ribboned ; present participle & verbal noun Ribboning