ripened; ripening ˈrī-pə-niŋ 
ˈrīp-niŋ
: to grow or become ripe
fruits ripening on the tree
1
: to make ripe
You can ripen fruit faster by putting it in a paper bag.
2
a
: to bring to completeness or perfection
… the progress of time would rather increase and ripen their prosperity …—
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne
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
As bananas ripen and turn yellow, their starch converts into natural sugars. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2026 Store in a warm spot in your kitchen for about one month until fully ripened. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 Refrigeration stops ripening cold. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026 This viburnum variety great for wildlife enthusiasts, with fragrant white blooms and showy berries that ripen from red to black in autumn. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026 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.
Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2026 Store in a warm spot in your kitchen for about one month until fully ripened. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 Refrigeration stops ripening cold. —Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026 This viburnum variety great for wildlife enthusiasts, with fragrant white blooms and showy berries that ripen from red to black in autumn. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ripen
Cite this Entry
“Ripen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/ripen. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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