calve

verb

ˈkav 

ˈkäv

calved; calving

intransitive verb

1

: to give birth to a calf

also : to produce offspring

2

of an ice mass : to separate or break so that a part becomes detached

transitive verb

1

: to produce by birth

2

of an ice mass : to let become detached

Examples of calve in a Sentence

The cow calved in the barn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Less than 50 miles away, another bison lives an ostensibly similar life, also moving with the seasons and calving among the sagebrush, vigilant for predators. —The Conversation, 4 June 2026

The number of cattle that had calved (given birth to a baby) was also down 100,000 from the prior year. —Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 4 June 2026

After the couple graduated from the University of Kentucky, the two bought a group of 16 bred (pregnant) heifers and calved them out together. —Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 May 2026

Instead of driving a 25-mile loop on an ATV for four hours to check the property for soon-to-be mothers, Mushrush uses Halter to ensure none of the cows have calved. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English calven, going back to Old English (Anglian) *calfian, (West Saxon) cealfian, derivative of cælf, cealf calf entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for calve

• halve
• have
• nav
• mohave

Kids Definition

calve

verb

ˈkav 

ˈkȧv

calved; calving

1

: to give birth to a calf

2

of an ice mass : to break so that a large part becomes separated

a glacier calving icebergs