cloverleaf

1 of 2

adjective

clo·​ver·​leaf ˈklō-vər-ˌlēf How to pronounce cloverleaf (audio)
: resembling a clover leaf in shape

cloverleaf

2 of 2

noun

plural cloverleafs ˈklō-vər-ˌlēfs How to pronounce cloverleaf (audio) or cloverleaves ˈklō-vər-ˌlēvz How to pronounce cloverleaf (audio)
: an interchange between two major highways that allows traffic to change from one to the other without requiring any left turns or crossings and that from above resembles a 4-leaf clover

Illustration of cloverleaf

Illustration of cloverleaf

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Our small group ventures into three days’ worth of driving activities, which use a cloverleaf approach of individual journeys that loop back to the Amangiri at the end of the day. Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2022 In barrel racing—which is widely considered rodeo’s slickest event, and also one of its most dangerous—riders steer their horses at lighting speeds in a cloverleaf pattern around barrels. Rose Minutaglio, ELLE, 12 Sep. 2022 Ten years later, at the age of 68, Burger set a record as the oldest woman world champion barrel racer, coaxing her beloved steed, Mo, in a cloverleaf pattern around a trio of barrels and consistently finishing the loop in less than 18 seconds. Chris La Tray, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 July 2022 The docking station is powered by a substantial power brick which can accept voltages from 100–240V and uses a detachable cloverleaf-style cable. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2022 Fans will be permitted to park in the centerfield lot and will have access to, at a minimum, the cloverleaf fields on the northeast portion of the complex. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2022 The test reactor's unique cloverleaf design includes a core that's surrounded by beryllium metal to reflect the neutrons. Keith Ridler, Star Tribune, 20 May 2021 Diverging diamond interchanges are designed to be safer and take up less space than cloverleaf designs. Mary Wisniewski, chicagotribune.com, 11 June 2017
Noun
The sanctuary area was something of a maritime highway cloverleaf. John Flesher, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2023 The sanctuary area was something of a maritime highway cloverleaf. John Flesher, Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2023 The sanctuary area was something of a maritime highway cloverleaf. John Flesher, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Mar. 2023 The sanctuary area was something of a maritime highway cloverleaf. CBS News, 1 Mar. 2023 The sanctuary area was something of a maritime highway cloverleaf. John Flesher, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023 Engines increased in displacement over the years, and the 3.0-liter V-8 in the Tipo 33/3 matched Alfa’s cloverleaf with Porsche’s 908 and Ferrari’s 312P. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2022 The new version of the park is tucked inside the concrete outline of a cloverleaf, a nod to the leprechaun colony that lives there, according to legend. oregonlive, 19 Jan. 2022 Now the community around the Cobb cloverleaf is in the spotlight, thanks to the Braves’ title run. Tim Tucker, ajc, 6 Nov. 2021 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1884, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cloverleaf was circa 1884

Dictionary Entries Near cloverleaf

Cite this Entry

“Cloverleaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloverleaf. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

cloverleaf

noun
clo·​ver·​leaf
-ˌlēf
plural cloverleafs
-ˌlēfs
or cloverleaves
-ˌlēvz
: a road plan that resembles a four-leaf clover in shape and is used for passing one highway over another and turning traffic onto connecting roadways which branch only to the right and lead around in a circle to enter the other highway from the right

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