1
: one that cleaves
especially
: a butcher's implement for cutting animal carcasses into joints or pieces
2
: a prehistoric stone tool having a sharp edge at one end
Examples of cleaver in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Los Angeles Times reported that Sharp is the son of Calvin Sharp, who pleaded guilty to the 2007 killing of a 6-year-old boy with a meat cleaver.
—
Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Critics say the law attempts to do this carving with a cleaver.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Think of ordinary tongs as a cleaver, and a Stando as a scalpel.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
No need to bust out the cleaver.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cleaver
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Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Critics say the law attempts to do this carving with a cleaver.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Think of ordinary tongs as a cleaver, and a Stando as a scalpel.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
No need to bust out the cleaver.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cleaver
Cite this Entry
“Cleaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleaver. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cleaver
noun
cleav·er
ˈklē-vər 
: a heavy knife with a wide blade
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