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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
Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023
Fill a cloche with a base of moss or greenery, then add branches and miniature pumpkins for a pretty autumn scene.
—Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
The 1,200-gram (approximately two-and-a-half pound) Porterhouse steak is served sliced, finished over apple wood and presented under a cloche.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Find it on Amazon Elevate Your Space With This Classy Match Cloche
Elevate your space with this match cloche, a sophisticated piece that brings together various design elements in your home beautifully.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2023
When the cloche is lifted, smoke photogenically drifts up.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023
Keep the lid of the jug closed at night for maximum protection, but remove the lid to vent the cloche during the day to avoid overheating the plant.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2022
On Ballard Designs This match cloche makes a great alternative to a candle—or even better, pair it with her favorite candle for a gift that’s both functional and beautiful.
—Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023
Stopping Voles From Devouring Plants Adding cloches over their favorite snacks and sprinkling cayenne pepper around vulnerable plants is an effective way to stop voles from doing too much damage.
—Elizabeth Waddington, Treehugger, 5 Sep. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cloche.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
French, literally, bell, from Medieval Latin clocca
1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Dictionary Entries Near cloche
Cite this Entry
“Cloche.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloche. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on cloche
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cloche
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cloche
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