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
Even if they're brought back to room temperature, underripe bananas will not continue to ripen properly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Some pear cultivars continue to ripen and sweeten after being picked.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025
As bananas ripen, their fructose, glucose, and total sugar content increases, which increases blood sugar levels.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Dec. 2025
Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
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Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Some pear cultivars continue to ripen and sweeten after being picked.
—Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 30 Dec. 2025
As bananas ripen, their fructose, glucose, and total sugar content increases, which increases blood sugar levels.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Dec. 2025
Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 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 2 Jan. 2026.
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