strook

Strook is a Dutch noun meaning a long, narrow piece or strip of material, surface, or area. It is a general term used across several contexts to describe a contiguous, slender segment that stands out from its surroundings.

In textiles and fashion, a strook refers to a stripe or band on fabric or clothing. Stripes can be decorative or functional and may run horizontally, vertically, or along seams.

In geography and land use, the term denotes a narrow stretch of land or water. Examples include a coastal strook, a riverbank strip, or a development strip along a road. The sense is common in planning and landscape descriptions.

In transport and road contexts, the concept is related to lanes and markings. While rijstrook (traffic lane) is the standard term, strook can be used more generally to describe any marked strip on a surface that guides movement or delineates areas. Road markings—whether painted lines or shaded bands—define and communicate the use of the strook.

In design and publishing, strook can describe decorative borders or stripes on signs, banners, posters, or page layouts. It denotes a visual element that creates separation or emphasis.

The word is widely used in Dutch-speaking regions, including the Netherlands and Flanders. It forms various compounds, underscoring its role as a flexible descriptor for narrow, elongated features. See also: stripe, band, belt, lane.