a piece of braid, usually on the sleeve, indicating military rank or length of service
"The sergeant adjusted his uniform to display the silver stripe on his left sleeve that marked his five years of dedicated service."
V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service
"they earned their stripes in Kuwait"
A long region of a single colour in a repeating pattern of similar regions.
"The zebra's coat features many narrow black and white stripes running along its body."
In plain English: A stripe is a long, narrow line of color that runs across something.
"The cat has black and white stripes on its fur."
Usage: Use this noun to describe any distinct band or line within a repeated design, such as the colored bands on a zebra or the lines on a shirt. Do not confuse it with "strip," which typically refers to a long narrow piece cut from something rather than part of an existing pattern.
To mark with stripes.
"The painter striped the wall with bold vertical lines to create a striking pattern."
The word "stripe" comes from Middle English and earlier forms in Middle Dutch or Middle Low German. It originally referred to a long narrow mark or line before entering modern usage with its current meaning.