olive

noun

ol·​ive ˈä-liv 

-ləv

1

a

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

b

: any of various shrubs and trees resembling the olive

2

: any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish green

3

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata

Examples of olive in a Sentence

a sauce made with chopped olives

Does the suit come in olive?

Recent Examples on the Web

In a bowl, stir together the anchovies, olives, capers, parsley, and remaining oil. —Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 8 June 2026

His olive-green newsboy cap, with a silver thunderbird pin on its peak, is tossed on the bed. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026

Castro, appearing notably thinner in his olive-green military uniform, entered a theater full of military officers and government officials who gave him a standing ovation. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026

Other condiments that can be stored in the door compartments include pickles, olives, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, jam, peanut butter, and sauces like hot sauce. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oliva, from Greek elaia

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing olive

• olive branch
• olive drab
• olive green
• olive oil
• olive ridley
• olive tree
• Russian olive

Kids Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive

ˈäl-iv, 

-əv

1

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree grown for its fruit

also : the edible fruit of the olive tree that is the source of an oil

2

: a yellowish green

olive adjective

Medical Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive ˈäl-iv, -əv 

1

: an Old World evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

2

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata that contains the inferior olive of the same side

called also olivary body