ripened; ripening
ˈrī-pə-niŋ 
ˈrīp-niŋ
: to grow or become ripe
1
: to make ripe
2
a
: to bring to completeness or perfection
b
: to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color
c
: to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration
Examples of ripen in a Sentence
The tomatoes finished ripening on the windowsill.
You can ripen the fruit by placing it in a paper bag and storing it at room temperature for a few days.
Recent Examples on the Web
This slows grape ripening, leading to a longer hang time.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The 2021 growing season was cooler than average with maturation and ripening less harried than usual.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024
While ripening, anthocyanins, an antioxidant, accumulate, giving the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen 
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The 2021 growing season was cooler than average with maturation and ripening less harried than usual.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024
While ripening, anthocyanins, an antioxidant, accumulate, giving the fruit its red color.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 10 Dec. 2024
Many ripening berries were ready to be harvested around this time in the northeastern United States.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripen
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Dictionary Entries Near ripen
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripen. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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