ETYM Old Eng. riban, Old Fren. riban, French ruban, probably of German origin; cf. Dutch ringband collar, necklace, Eng. ring circle, and band.
1. A long strip of inked material for making characters on paper with a typewriter; SYN. typewriter ribbon.
2. A narrow strip of fine material used for trimming.
3. Any long object resembling a thin line; SYN. thread.