ribbons

Noun

ribbon (countable and uncountable, plural ribbons)

1. A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.
   • A Svveet diſorder in the dreſſe / Kindles in cloathes a vvantonneſſe: / […] / A Cuffe neglectfull, and thereby / Ribbands to flovv confuſedly: / […] / Do more bevvitch me, than vvhen Art / Is too preciſe in every part.1648, Robert Herrick, “Delight in Disorder”, in Hesperides: Or, The Works both Humane & Divine […], London: […] John Williams, and Francis Eglesfield, and are to be sold by Tho[mas] Hunt, […], →OCLC...
2. An awareness ribbon.
   • With Monday marking the beginning of October’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month observance, supporters will be donning their pink ribbons as a show of support for ongoing research for a cure.2018 October 1, Olivia B. Waxman, “Wearing a Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness? Here's How Awareness Ribbons Became a Thing”, in Time, archived from the original on 14 Aug 2020
3. An inked strip of material against which type is pressed to print letters in a typewriter or printer.
   • Late at night, in the typewriter light / Ripped his ribbon to shreds1989, Paul Heaton, Dave Rotheray, “Song for Whoever”, performed by The Beautiful South
4. A narrow strip or shred.
   • a steel or magnesium ribbon
   1. In ice cream and similar confections, an ingredient (often chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, or fudge) added in a long narrow strip.
5. A painted moulding on the side of a ship.

See all 17 meanings of ribbon