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
Figs do not ripen off the tree, so don’t pick too early.
—
The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
The grape is difficult to work with, requiring long, hot, dry summers to ripen fully.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Keep them at room temperature, and to really ramp up ripening, place your lemons near bananas or other ethylene-emitters.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025
Due to increasing climatic unpredictability, the plot changes every year and is selected during the ripening season based on the year’s conditions and their influence on the vines.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
The grape is difficult to work with, requiring long, hot, dry summers to ripen fully.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
Keep them at room temperature, and to really ramp up ripening, place your lemons near bananas or other ethylene-emitters.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025
Due to increasing climatic unpredictability, the plot changes every year and is selected during the ripening season based on the year’s conditions and their influence on the vines.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripen. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share