cloche

noun \ ˈklōsh \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of cloche

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

cloche was our Word of the Day on 12/04/2012. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of cloche from the Web

In the meantime, protect transplants and new growth with garden netting, summer weight garden fabric, or wire cloches gently covering any newbies.

— Sunset, "Top Tips to Keep Plants Safe from Garden Pests," 22 Jan. 2018
For floral centerpieces, incorporate obscurity, like glass cloches and fruit, for impact rather than building out too many grandiose bloom moments.

— carrie goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Create the Perfect Bridal Tablescape For Any Style—with Flowers," 8 June 2017
Yes, there are some aerated sauces, er, foams, and even the occasional puff of smoke coming from a cloche (voila!).

— victoria pesce elliott, miamiherald, "Why this restaurant earned our first ‘Exceptional’ review in two years. (Hint: its talented tattooed chef) | Miami Herald," 5 Apr. 2018
The lanterns were lit, the food was plated and under silver cloches to keep it from cooling, the wine had been uncorked and placed in an ice bucket, bottled water was at the ready, napkins had been unfolded.

— klara glowczewska, Town & Country, "Room Service Is Supposed to Be Great—Here's Why It's Not," 12 Mar. 2018
There were three entrees under silver cloches, two of which looked like fried chicken wings (dead birds, get it?) and racks full of water and soda at the end.

— conor orr, SI.com, "For the Patriots, It Felt Like an Ending," 5 Feb. 2018
A half-dozen swordfish noses huddle under a rare English glass cloche.

— kathleen hackett, ELLE Decor, "A Haven in the Hamptons," 29 June 2010
Her cloche hat, her pearl necklace and her fur stole are sleek and elegant, framing her bright eyes and open, smiling lips.

— jed perl, Smithsonian, "How Alexander Calder Became America’s Most Beloved Sculptor," 30 Sep. 2017
Twentysomething women on café terraces wore mismatched fur coats and stoles, cloche hats.

— tara isabella burton, WSJ, "Paris’s Most Decadent Era—and Where to Recreate It," 19 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cloche.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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."