cliff

noun

: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice : precipice
cliffy adjective

Examples of cliff in a Sentence

Standing at the edge of the cliff, we watched the waves crash on the shore far below. rock climbers scaling steep cliffs
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Snow blankets the dramatic cliffs, some mountain passes are closed, and ferry services are limited. David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The one at Land’s End is perhaps most famous, near the mist and crying seabirds of the Golden Gate (just don’t approach the cliffs). Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024 College enrollment in Tennessee has largely stabilized after a pandemic-era drop-off, but new numbers show one Nashville university is facing a potentially cataclysmic enrollment cliff. Adam Tamburin, Axios, 30 Oct. 2024 The county faces a $1 billion capital projects backlog, an unexpected sales tax shortfall, looming departmental fiscal cliffs and the knock-on effect of the Sheriff's Office's struggles to rein in its overtime spending. Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cliff 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clif, from Old English; akin to Old High German klep cliff, Old Norse klif

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cliff was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near cliff

Cite this Entry

“Cliff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cliff. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

cliff

noun
: a high steep surface of rock, earth, or ice

More from Merriam-Webster on cliff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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