rib·bon

/ˈrıbən/ noun, pl -bons

1 : a narrow piece of cloth (such as silk) that is used to tie things or for decoration

[count]

She wore pink ribbons in her hair.

She tied a ribbon around the present.

[noncount]

a length/piece of ribbon

The present was tied with ribbon.

2 [count] : a short piece of cloth that is given as a military award

The soldier proudly wore his ribbons and medals.

3 [count] chiefly US : a piece of colored cloth that is given as an award in a competition

Her pie won a ribbon at the county fair.

— see also ↑blue ribbon

4 [count] : something that is long and narrow like a strip of cloth

a ribbon of road

5 [count] : a long and narrow piece of cloth with ink that is used for producing printed characters in a typewriter or printer

6 ribbons [plural] : narrow pieces of something that has been cut or torn apart

Her pants were torn/cut to ribbons. [=to pieces]