ribs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ribs' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun that refers to the set of bones that protect the chest cavity and provide support for the upper body. Example: The doctor examined my ribs and determined that they were not broken after the car accident.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I can still remember one survivor saying how easy it is to pull apart the ribs on a baby.

The Guardian

ef3f0e51-f518-4972-90f3-99e1fb32807d When champion jockey AP McCoy spent seven nights in hospital recently the thought of future victories may have eased the pain caused by broken ribs.

BBC

It's a cosy thought: the word "poverty" is nothing more than lazy nomenclature, unfair shorthand for helpless, naked babies with swollen bellies and xylophonic ribs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One guy had a broken leg, another broken ribs, and the cab driver fractured his wrist - but they recovered".

The Guardian

Or that ribs aren't elbowed when Guillermo del Toro comes to hang out, as he does when in town.

The Guardian - Film

With its own dedicated Twitter feed the line of meat pilgrims starts forming as early as 8am (they open at 11am) to sample Aaron Franklin's way with brisket, ribs and pulled pork.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One was the story of a 22-year-old black man, who was beaten so badly when Chicago police found him smoking marijuana that he awoke from consciousness in Cook County jail with "22 stitches in my tongue, two facial fractures, bruised ribs, scrapes all over my body … an orbital fracture, a nasal fracture".

The Guardian

The pain was the result of punctured lungs, 12 fractured vertebra, broken ribs, and a broken collarbone.

The Guardian

Once, arriving after a gym session to collect my daughter from a supermarket, I saw her friend dig her in the ribs.

The Guardian - Opinion

From the front cover I was intrigued, about the look of murder in his eyes and the look of mystery of it, from the clothing that he was wearing to the razor or knife in his dirty left hand, and the brown scruffy matted dog showing its ribs leaning next to him… It's a 335 page book that is brilliantly written with awesome wordplay.

The Guardian

There's a practical benefit to combining fruits such as pineapple and papaya to tough BBQ meats such as pork ribs, neck and shoulder, because their juices are brilliant natural tenderisers, making them perfect marinade material.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In culinary contexts, specify the type of "ribs" (e.g., "beef ribs", "pork ribs", "spare ribs") to clarify the dish.

Common error

Avoid using "ribs" without specifying context. Are you talking about anatomy, cooking, or construction? Be specific to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "ribs" primarily functions as a plural noun, referring to multiple bones that protect the chest cavity. Ludwig examples show its usage in medical contexts (broken ribs) and culinary contexts (barbecue ribs).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ribs" is a very common plural noun with applications in anatomy and cuisine. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct. Its usage spans various contexts, from describing injuries to discussing food. For clarity, specifying the type of "ribs" (e.g., fractured, spare, beef) is crucial. While generally neutral in tone, anatomical discussions might require a more formal register. Ludwig examples show the contexts in which the term appears most frequently are news and media, lifestyle, and sport.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

costae

A more technical, anatomical term for ribs.

chest bones

Refers to the skeletal structure protecting the chest, where ribs are a major component.

rack of ribs

Refers to a serving or cut of ribs, typically in a culinary context.

spare ribs

Specifically refers to a cut of pork ribs.

baby back ribs

Specifically refers to a cut of pork ribs that is shorter and more tender.

beef ribs

Specifically refers to ribs from a cow.

broken ribs

Describes the state of having fractured ribs, often due to injury.

fractured ribs

Describes the state of having fractured ribs, often due to injury.

bruised ribs

Describes the state of having damaged ribs, often due to injury.

barbecue ribs

Refers to ribs prepared using barbecue techniques.

FAQs

How to use "ribs" in a sentence?

You can use "ribs" in sentences related to anatomy, cooking, or construction. For example, "He broke his "ribs" in the accident" or "We ordered barbecue "ribs" at the restaurant".

What can I say instead of "ribs" (anatomical context)?

In an anatomical context, you can use "costae" as a more formal or technical alternative to "ribs".

Which is correct, "ribs" or "rib"?

"Ribs" is the plural form, referring to multiple bones. "Rib" is the singular form, referring to a single bone. Use the appropriate form based on the context.

What are the different types of "ribs" in cooking?

In cooking, "ribs" can refer to "spare ribs", "baby back ribs", "beef ribs", or other cuts, depending on the animal and the specific part of the rib cage.