cloche

noun

ˈklōsh 

1

: a bell- or dome-shaped cover:

a

: a glass or plastic cover used to protect small outdoor plants from frost

also : a similar cover used indoors to display or protect ornamental objects

b

: a cover (as of metal or ceramic) placed over food during preparation or serving

2

: a woman's close-fitting hat usually with deep rounded crown and narrow brim

Did you know?

Does the meaning of cloche ring a bell?

The word cloche refers to very different things but the connection between them is apparent in the word's meaning: cloche is French for "bell," and both the gardening cloche and the hat cloche are typically shaped like the archetypal bell. The gourmands among you may be aware of another kind of cloche as well. Covered in our unabridged dictionary, Webster's Third New International, cloche also refers to a bell-shaped cover placed over food in cooking or serving. The French word cloche comes from Medieval Latin clocca, which is also the source of the words "cloak" and "clock."

Examples of cloche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At La Valencia, where the kitchen was far from the dining room, waiters would transport dishes under silver cloches to keep them warm while creating an air of sophistication. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Using physical barriers such as chicken wire, garden netting, wire cloches, and more can protect your fruits, veggies, and plants from hungry squirrels. —Molly Burford, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

Perhaps the hotel’s philosophy is best seen by the seashells placed under glass cloches throughout the hotel, showcasing the reverence for nature here. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Sealed beneath a cloche and revealed tableside beneath a curl of citrus smoke. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, bell, from Medieval Latin clocca

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cloche

• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• smoky
• karaoke

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