ribbon

Pronunciation: /ˈrɪb(ə)n/

Definition of ribbon

1a long, narrow strip of fabric, used for tying something or for decoration:the tiny pink ribbons in her hair [mass noun]:four lengths of ribbon
a ribbon of a special colour or design awarded as a prize or worn to indicate the holding of an honour, especially a small multicoloured piece of ribbon worn in place of the medal it represents: his medal ribbons were bright as a rainbow
(ribbons) prizes; honours:in the Silk Cup trophy class Mullins stayed in the ribbons

2a long, narrow strip:slice the peppers into ribbons lengthways
a narrow band of impregnated material wound on a spool and forming the inking agent in some typewriters and computer printers: the notes had been typed on an old portable with a faded ribbon

[no object, with adverbial of direction]

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

Phrases

cut a (or the) ribbon: ceremonially open a building or road, typically by cutting a ribbon across the entrance: the MP cut a ribbon to mark the completion of the new bypass figurativethe firm cut the ribbon on a £30 million joint venture in Beijing
cut (or tear) something to ribbons: cut (or tear) something so badly that only ragged strips remain: the counterpane had been cut to ribbons; 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 cents

Definition of ribbon in the US English dictionary