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
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Between April and May, gray whales begin to migrate from their calving waters in Mexico to the feeding waters near Alaska.
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
CALVE Defined for English Language Learners
calve
playDefinition of calve for English Language Learners
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of a cow : to give birth to a calf
CALVE Defined for Kids
calve
playDefinition of calve for Students
calved
;calving
: to give birth to a calf The cow calved in the barn.
Learn More about calve
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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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