clove

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈklōv 

: one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb

clove

2 of 3

past tense of cleave

clove

3 of 3

noun

ˈklōv 

: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree (Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia aromatica) of the myrtle family that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil

also : this tree

Examples of clove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Garlic cloves: Minced garlic adds depth to the pasta. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2023

Other risks include infection and irritation if a garlic clove gets stuck in your nostril. —Karen Pallarito, Health, 3 Sep. 2023

Remove the paper, and push cloves into the apple, staying within the outline. —Sarah Zlotnick, Country Living, 22 Aug. 2023

Filled with nine apples and clove honey, anyone would be thrilled to receive. —Alesandra Dubin, Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2023

Azúcar gives off the alluring aromas of sweet honey balanced with tamarind, clove, and brown sugar notes. —Christina Montoya Fiedler, Woman's Day, 17 Aug. 2023

Adherents who haunt parlors like Skyline and Camp Washington scoff at the it’s-not-chili complaints, celebrating the sauce’s distinctive spicing of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon — and the miraculous merging of Mediterranean and Slavic flavors with early-20th-century American tastes. —J. J. Goode, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2023

And the ginger and cloves may have come from India as well, or maybe China. —Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 7 Aug. 2023

Mince both cloves and place in a large mixing bowl. —Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 14 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English clufu; akin to Old English clēofan to cleave

Noun

alteration of Middle English clowe, from Anglo-French clou (de girofle), literally, nail of clove, from Latin clavus nail

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clove

• clove hitch
• clove pink

• clove hitch
• clove pink

Kids Definition

clove

1 of 3 noun

ˈklōv 

: one of the small bulbs that grows at the base of the scales of a large bulb

a clove of garlic

clove

2 of 3

past of cleave

clove

3 of 3 noun

: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree related to the myrtle that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil

also : this tree

Etymology

Noun

Old English clufu "clove, bulb"

Noun

Middle English clowe "clove bud," from early French clou, shortened form of the phrase clou de girofle, literally, "nail of clove," from Latin clavus "nail"

Medical Definition

clove

noun

ˈklōv 

1

a

: the pungent fragrant aromatic reddish brown dried flower bud of a tropical evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that yields clove oil

b

: a spice consisting of whole or ground cloves

—usually used in plural

2

: the tree that is the source of cloves and is probably native to the Moluccas but is now widely cultivated in the tropics