rib
noun · verb
Simple meaning
Any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
ribIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɹɪb
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
anatomy
Any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates)
anatomy
Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.
Support resembling the rib of an animal
by extension
A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something.
Cut of meat including one or more ribs
A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones.
verb
To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs.
To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
transitive
To leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land).
To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.