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
And here everything does ripen, an eventuality that this movie charts with wry humor, appreciable regional sensitivity and many wheels of artisanal cheese.
—
The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the best recent vintages was 2019, whose long, warm growing season created perfect conditions for ripening.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2025
Remember that your goal is to establish a cereal-bowl shape to the trees so that sunlight will reach the ripening fruit, also so that the weight of the fruit will be evenly spread over stronger branches.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025
Volcanic soil and cooling winds allow the grape to ripen gradually, developing a flavor profile unique to this dramatic landscape.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripen
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The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the best recent vintages was 2019, whose long, warm growing season created perfect conditions for ripening.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2025
Remember that your goal is to establish a cereal-bowl shape to the trees so that sunlight will reach the ripening fruit, also so that the weight of the fruit will be evenly spread over stronger branches.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025
Volcanic soil and cooling winds allow the grape to ripen gradually, developing a flavor profile unique to this dramatic landscape.
—Rachel King, Forbes.com, 30 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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