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
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The sound of meat cleavers chopping pork on the wooden board, or the smell of whole hogs roasting on the brick pits overnight—these are just as much a part of the experience as the barbecue itself.
—
Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, the story they’re told and believe is that Nicky showed up angry, wielding a meat cleaver, and then Jay stepped up trying to be a hero, and his finger got chopped off.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
After the Buffs’ opening drive stalled at midfield, leading to a nifty Damon Graves punt that pinned Houston to its own 3, the hosts got out the cleavers and went to work.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Specifically, there are a ton of underbarrel attachments that are great, from hucking cleavers at enemies for one shot kills, shooting out gravity wells, laying down corrosive pools or an AOE energy blast around you.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
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Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, the story they’re told and believe is that Nicky showed up angry, wielding a meat cleaver, and then Jay stepped up trying to be a hero, and his finger got chopped off.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2025
After the Buffs’ opening drive stalled at midfield, leading to a nifty Damon Graves punt that pinned Houston to its own 3, the hosts got out the cleavers and went to work.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Specifically, there are a ton of underbarrel attachments that are great, from hucking cleavers at enemies for one shot kills, shooting out gravity wells, laying down corrosive pools or an AOE energy blast around you.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleaver
Cite this Entry
“Cleaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleaver. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cleaver
noun
cleav·er
ˈklē-vər 
: a heavy knife with a wide blade
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