n. 1 a a narrow strip or band of fabric, used esp. for trimming or decoration. b material in this form. 2 a ribbon of a special colour etc. worn to indicate some honour or membership of a sports team etc. 3 a long narrow strip of anything, e.g. impregnated material forming the inking agent in a typewriter. 4 (in pl.) ragged strips (torn to ribbons). ribbon development the building of houses along a main road, usu. one leading out of a town or village. ribbon worm a nemertean. ribboned adj.
[ var. of RIBAND ]