eave

noun

1
: the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall
usually used in plural
2
: a projecting edge (as of a hill)
usually used in plural

Examples of eave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lights have a strong adhesive backing and are easy to install on the eaves of your home, whether it’s made of wood, fiber, cement, metal, or vinyl. Katie Begley, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 Move tropical bromeliads and cold sensitive succulents under the eaves or patio cover to protect them from cold. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023 Keep house vents clear of debris, and install one-eighth-inch metal mesh screening to prevent embers from making their way in through eaves, soffits, crawl space vents and under decks. Jeastman, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023 The most striking ornamental aspect of these pavilions was the six-foot-high terra-cotta frieze running around each building beneath its eaves. John Freeman Gill, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023 The porte cochère featured a series of plodding, nearly rectangular archways topped with a wide eave, called a chajja. Daniel Brook, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023 Getting a new roof, installing one-eighth-inch eave vents, and pruning and cutting trees and shrubs to create defensible space are downright radical. Time, 22 Aug. 2023 In designing the custom house, Michael Barclay of Barclay Home Design in Clackamas was guided by the horizontal planes, wide eaves and stylized, restrained ornamentation of the Prairie style made famous by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who connected natural elements in homes to their environment. Jeastman, oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023 Generally, do not water your plants in freezing conditions but shrubs growing underneath the eaves of a house are susceptible to drought damage. oregonlive, 22 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eave.' 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

Middle English eves (singular), from Old English efes; akin to Old High German obasa portico, Old English ūp up — more at up

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eave was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near eave

Cite this Entry

“Eave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eave. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

eave

noun
: the lower edge of a roof that sticks out beyond the wall of a building
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on eave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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