ribbon

Syllabification: (rib·bon)

Pronunciation: /ˈribən/

Definition of ribbon

1a long, narrow strip of fabric, used especially for tying something or for decoration:the tiny pink ribbons in her hair cut four lengths of ribbon
a strip of fabric of a special color or design awarded as a prize or worn to indicate the holding of an honor, especially a small multicolored piece of ribbon worn in place of the medal it represents:old horse show ribbons and rosettes

2a long, narrow strip of something:slice the peppers into ribbons lengthwise
a narrow band of inked material wound on a spool and forming the inking agent in some typewriters and computer printers.

[no object]

extend or move in a long narrow strip like a ribbon:miles of concrete ribboned behind the bus

Phrases

cut a (or the) ribbon: perform an opening ceremony, typically by formally cutting a ribbon across the entrance to somewhere.
cut (or tear) something to ribbons: cut (or tear) something so badly that only ragged strips remain.; damage something severely:the country has seen its economy torn to ribbons by recession

early 16th century: variant of riband. The French spelling ruban was also frequent in the 16th–18th centuries

Definition of ribbon in the British & World English dictionary