ribbon

Universal Words noun 1 [U,C] a narrow strip of material, used to tie things or for decoration: a present tied with yellow ribbon * lengths / pieces of velvet ribbon * She was wearing two blue silk ribbons in her hair. 2 [C] something that is long and narrow in shape: The road was a ribbon of moonlight. * (BrE) Ribbon developments (= lines of buildings) extended along the main road. 3 [C] a ribbon in special colours, or tied in a special way, that is given to sb as a prize or as a military honour, or that is worn by sb to show that they belong to a particular political party compareROSETTE 4 [C] a long strip of material containing ink that you put into TYPEWRITERS and some computer printers IDIOMS cut / tear, etc. sth to ribbons to cut/tear, etc. sth very badly: His coat was torn to ribbons by the barbed wire fence.