: 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
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
This is a great episode to learn more about Cuba, their citizens, and to see O’Brien get very drunk and find his clave.
—Ian Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024
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Noun
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
This is a great episode to learn more about Cuba, their citizens, and to see O’Brien get very drunk and find his clave.
—Ian Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Clave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clave. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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