cloche

noun

ˈklōsh 

1

: a bell- or dome-shaped cover:

a

: a glass or plastic cover used to protect small outdoor plants from frost

also : a similar cover used indoors to display or protect ornamental objects

b

: a cover (as of metal or ceramic) placed over food during preparation or serving

2

: a woman's close-fitting hat usually with deep rounded crown and narrow brim

Did you know?

Does the meaning of cloche ring a bell?

The word cloche refers to very different things but the connection between them is apparent in the word's meaning: cloche is French for "bell," and both the gardening cloche and the hat cloche are typically shaped like the archetypal bell. The gourmands among you may be aware of another kind of cloche as well. Covered in our unabridged dictionary, Webster's Third New International, cloche also refers to a bell-shaped cover placed over food in cooking or serving. The French word cloche comes from Medieval Latin clocca, which is also the source of the words "cloak" and "clock."

Examples of cloche in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider using a few cloches in varying sizes to display collections. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025

Light It Up One of the most modern uses for glass cloches: housing candles. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Apr. 2025

Sure enough, Kristen then summoned a parade of cloches, each paired with a different hockey term, and instructed the chefs to pick whichever one struck their fancy. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025

The oversized, slouchy beanie continues to dominate fall and winter wardrobes, with Johnson favoring timeless silhouettes like the bucket hat and the cloche for their styling versatility and comfortability. —Essence, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, bell, from Medieval Latin clocca

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cloche

• gnocchi
• loci
• pokey
• smokey
• smoky
• karaoke

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