: one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb
clove
2 of 3past tense of cleave
: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree (Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia aromatica) of the myrtle family that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil
also
: this tree
Examples of clove in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
Bright, medium intense purple; ripe black fruit aromas (black plum, blackberry) along with notes of myrtle and clove.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The secret is to line the glass with Angostura bitters; throw in a clove and a tiny eyedropper of a dark grappa.
—airmail.news, 8 Mar. 2025
Cardamom and clove perfumed the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flatbread wafting from ovens around every corner.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clove
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Noun
Sip on this woody flavor with floral notes of blueberry, herbaceous lavender and a hint of clove.
—Nora Colomer, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2025
Bright, medium intense purple; ripe black fruit aromas (black plum, blackberry) along with notes of myrtle and clove.
—Tom Hyland, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The secret is to line the glass with Angostura bitters; throw in a clove and a tiny eyedropper of a dark grappa.
—airmail.news, 8 Mar. 2025
Cardamom and clove perfumed the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flatbread wafting from ovens around every corner.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clove
Cite this Entry
“Clove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clove. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clove
1 of 3 noun
: one of the small bulbs that grows at the base of the scales of a large bulb
a clove of garlic
clove
2 of 3past of cleave
clove
3 of 3 noun
: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree related to the myrtle that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil
also
: this tree
Etymology
Noun
Old English clufu "clove, bulb"
Noun
Middle English clowe "clove bud," from early French clou, shortened form of the phrase clou de girofle, literally, "nail of clove," from Latin clavus "nail"
Medical Definition
clove
noun1
a
: the pungent fragrant aromatic reddish brown dried flower bud of a tropical evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that yields clove oil
b
: a spice consisting of whole or ground cloves
—usually used in plural
2
: the tree that is the source of cloves and is probably native to the Moluccas but is now widely cultivated in the tropics
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