rib

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

noun

one of a series of curved bones that are articulated with the vertebrae and occur in pairs, 12 in humans, on each side of the vertebrate body, certain pairs being connected with the sternum and forming the thoracic wall.

a cut of meat, as beef, containing a rib.

ribs, spareribs(def 2).

Architecture.

any of several archlike members of a vault supporting it at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces, or dividing these surfaces into panels: including ogives and tiercerons.
any of several molded members or moldings, including ridge ribs and liernes, and on the surface of a vault accenting the ridges or dividing the surface into panels.

something resembling a rib in form, position, or use, as a supporting or strengthening part.

a structural member that supports the shape of something: an umbrella rib.

Nautical. any of the curved framing members in a ship's hull that rise upward and outward from the keel; frame.

a stiffening beam cast as part of a concrete slab.

a primary vein of a leaf.

a vertical ridge in cloth, especially in knitted fabrics.

a ridge, as in poplin or rep, caused by heavy yarn.

a wife (in humorous allusion to the creation of Eve. Gen. 2:21–22).

Ceramics. a scraper for smoothing clay being thrown on a potter's wheel.

a metal ridge running along the top of the barrel of a firearm to simplify aligning the sights.

a longitudinal strip of metal joining the barrels of a double-barreled gun.

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to furnish or strengthen with ribs.

to enclose as with ribs.

to mark with riblike ridges or markings.

Origin of rib

before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with German Rippe

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

rib·ber, noun rib·less, adjective rib·like, adjective

Words nearby rib

rial omani, rialto, riant, riata, riau archipelago, rib, rib cage, rib eye, rib roast, rib steak, rib-knit

Definition for ribs (2 of 2)

rib ²

[ rib ]

/ rɪb /

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

to tease; make fun of.

Origin of rib

1925–30, Americanism; apparently short for rib-tickle (v.)

Example sentences from the Web for ribs

As zealots poured in from Arkansas and Mississippi, a wire service reporter got punched in the ribs.

The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise |Jason Berry |January 3, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
So what if she broke two ribs a couple years ago; so did Jack Bauer —perhaps twice.

Justice Ginsburg Shouldn’t Quit Just Yet |Kevin Bleyer |December 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
As that clip played, Camille leaned over and gave her husband a playful poke in the ribs.

Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius |Mark Whitaker |October 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
They begin with a joust where Gautier pierces Bernier with his lance between his ribs.

The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat |Steven Isaac |June 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

A third lion went for his ribs, and a fourth one nearly scalped Massarti.

Thrills and Too Many Spills: The Dangers of the Circus |Marina Watts |May 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
With this thorough reflection is combined diffusion as thorough, the interior of the globe being shaped as ribs.

Inventors at Work |George Iles
Thy beak shall break the ribs of the triremes and thy keel shall plow the seas of the south!

Ulric the Jarl |William O. Stoddard
The intercostal, and a part of the abdominal, muscles depress the ribs and lessen the chest cavity anteriorly and laterally.

Resonance in Singing and Speaking |Thomas Fillebrown
"Throw your chest out," commanded Shorty, punching him in the ribs.

Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6) |John McElroy
Through the mercy of Providence, its progress was arrested by one of the ribs, and the wound healed in the course of a few days.

Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea |John Franklin

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (1 of 2)

rib ¹

/ (rɪb) /

noun

any of the 24 curved elastic arches of bone that together form the chest wall in man. All are attached behind to the thoracic part of the spinal column Technical name: costa Compare true rib, false ribs, floating rib

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

a cut of meat including one or more ribs

a part or element similar in function or appearance to a rib, esp a structural or supporting member or a raised strip or ridge

a structural member in a wing that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge and maintains the shape of the wing surface

a projecting moulding or band on the underside of a vault or ceiling, which may be structural or ornamental

one of a series of raised rows in knitted fabric See also ribbing (def. 3)

a raised ornamental line on the spine of a book where the stitching runs across it

any of the transverse stiffening timbers or joists forming the frame of a ship's hull

any of the larger veins of a leaf

a metal strip running along the top of the barrel of a shotgun or handgun and guiding the alignment of the sights

a vein of ore in rock

a projecting ridge of a mountain; spur

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

to furnish or support with a rib or ribs

to mark with or form into ribs or ridges

to knit plain and purl stitches alternately in order to make raised rows in (knitting)

archaic to enclose with or as if with ribs

Derived forms of rib

ribless, adjective riblike, adjective

Word Origin for rib

Old English ribb; related to Old High German rippi, Old Norse rif reef 1

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (2 of 2)

rib ²

/ (rɪb) informal /

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

(tr) to tease or ridicule

noun

a joke or hoax

Word Origin for rib

C20: short for rib-tickle (vb)

Medical definitions for ribs

rib

[ rĭb ]

n.

One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.

Scientific definitions for ribs

rib

[ rĭb ]

Any of a series of long, curved bones extending from the spine and enclosing the chest cavity. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the ribs curve toward the center of the chest and in most cases attach to the sternum (breastbone). There are 12 pairs of ribs in humans. See more at skeleton.

One of the main veins of a leaf.

Idioms and Phrases with ribs

rib

see stick to the ribs.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

rib

noun

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Words nearby rib

Definition for ribs (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

Example sentences from the Web for ribs

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (1 of 2)

noun

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (2 of 2)

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

noun

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for ribs

n.

Scientific definitions for ribs

Idioms and Phrases with ribs

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

rib

noun

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

OTHER WORDS FROM rib

Words nearby rib

Definition for ribs (2 of 2)

verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.

Origin of rib

Words related to ribs

Example sentences from the Web for ribs

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (1 of 2)

noun

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed (tr)

Derived forms of rib

Word Origin for rib

British Dictionary definitions for ribs (2 of 2)

verb ribs, ribbing or ribbed

noun

Word Origin for rib

Medical definitions for ribs

n.

Scientific definitions for ribs

Idioms and Phrases with ribs