clave

1 of 2

past tense of cleave

clave

2 of 2

noun

ˈklä-(ˌ)vā  ˈklāv 

: one of a pair of cylindrical hardwood sticks that are used as a percussion instrument

Examples of clave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Experts refer that moment to conveying a picture, a moment often accentuated by the rhythmical clatter of two pieces of wood, which are like claves. — ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Co-produced by Javier Sampedro, Yoyi Lagarza and Drumglass, the song is rooted in an alternative pop sound laced with an edgy reparto melody that’s backed by the genre’s distinct hard-hitting clave instrumentation. — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026

Reparto is not just the clave and bombo with a bunch of old people. — Ana González Vilá, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2025

The sharp sound of clacking claves accompanies Mortensen’s character in the present day, hunting down the man who preyed on his wife during his military absence. — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

American Spanish, from Spanish, keystone, clef, from Latin clavis

First Known Use

Noun

1928, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clave

• brave
• cave
• crave
• fave
• gave
• grave
• knave
• lave
• nave
• pave
• rave
• shave