cloche

noun

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 Apothecary cloche Skeem Design The Match Cloche $38 at Amazon Anyone can appreciate the beauty of this vintage-style container that holds 120 matches. 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 See More

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

Etymology

French, literally, bell, from Medieval Latin clocca

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cloche was in 1882

Podcast

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.

More from Merriam-Webster on cloche

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!