calve

verb \ ˈkav , ˈkäv \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Examples: calve in a Sentence

Definition of calve

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

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Examples of calve in a Sentence

The cow calved in the barn.

Recent Examples of calve from the Web

Wildlife: This year’s elk calves are now being born (late May into early June is the peak time for calving).

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Summer arrives: Light the fuse and stand back," 31 May 2018
Cow moose can be particularly dangerous during calving season.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "‘Tis the season of newborn moose calves in Anchorage. Here’s your annual reminder to steer clear.," 13 May 2018
And scientists have documented a troubling trend in the region: More caribou calves appear to be dying early in years when the spring plant growth preceded the caribou's calving season.

— author: livia albeck ripka, brad plumer, Anchorage Daily News, "5 plants and animals utterly confused by climate change," 10 Apr. 2018
The previous rock-bottom year for births -- just one calf spotted in 2000 -- was followed by 31 newborns in 2001, the second-best calving season on record.

— CBS News, "Endangered right whales, on brink of extinction, could be facing "beginning of the end"," 27 Mar. 2018
But things could be turning downright catastrophic for the whales after a winter calving season where no calves appear to have been born.

— doug criss, CNN, "North Atlantic right whales may be on edge of extinction. There's been zero births this year," 27 Mar. 2018
The previous rock-bottom year for births — just one calf spotted in 2000 — was followed by 31 newborns in 2001, the second-best calving season on record.

— russ bynum, chicagotribune.com, "'Beginning of the end?' No new babies for endangered whales," 26 Mar. 2018
The previous rock-bottom year for births — just one calf spotted in 2000 — was followed by 31 newborns in 2001, the second-best calving season on record.

— russ bynum, Fox News, "'Beginning of the end?' No new babies for endangered whales," 26 Mar. 2018
The choppers land at the pale-blue Uzon Caldera, visit hot springs, and do a flyover of the Gorely volcano, caves, and calving glaciers.

— sophy roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, "Exploring Kamchatka, Russia's Adventure Playground," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of calve

Middle English, from Old English cealfian, from cealf calf

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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CALVE Defined for English Language Learners

calve

verb

Definition of calve for English Language Learners

of a cow : to give birth to a calf

CALVE Defined for Kids

calve

verb \ ˈkav , ˈkäv \

Definition of calve for Students

calved; calving

: to give birth to a calf

The cow calved in the barn.

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See words that rhyme with calve Spanish Central: Translation of calve Nglish: Translation of calve for Spanish speakers

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calve

Definition of calve

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Origin and Etymology of calve

CALVE Defined for English Language Learners

calve

Definition of calve for English Language Learners

CALVE Defined for Kids

calve

Definition of calve for Students

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