chive

noun

: a perennial plant (Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and having slender leaves used as a seasoning
also : its leaves
usually used in plural
compare garlic chive

Examples of chive in a Sentence

Do you want chives on your baked potato?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steep fresh herbs like mint, lemon balm, or chamomile for a relaxing tea, or whip up a soft herb butter with parsley, chives, and thyme to spread on warm bread. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025 Combine cream cheese, mozzarella, basil, chives, and garlic in a medium bowl, stirring until well combined. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025 The English muffin gets toasted, topped with a housemade miso butter and chives, with the Tsar Nicoulai Estate caviar sitting on top. Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 Soto South Lamar Roll selections at Soto offer a range from Wagyu Land & Sea, Honey Truffle to the Niku Niku roll, which features beef tenderloin, A5 Wagyu, chives and caviar. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for chive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cepa onion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chive was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

chive

noun
: an herb related to the onion and having leaves used as a seasoning

More from Merriam-Webster on chive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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