shamrock

noun

sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk 

: a trifoliolate plant used as a floral emblem by the Irish: such as

a

: a yellow-flowered Old World clover (Trifolium dubium) often regarded as the true shamrock

b

: wood sorrel

c

: white clover

Examples of shamrock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hartnell also stitched a four-leaf shamrock for good luck on the left side of the skirt, placed precisely where Queen Elizabeth's hand would fall during the ceremony. —Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2023

Floral emblems of the four nations of the United Kingdom — a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock — are also featured on the underskirt and cuffs of the sleeves. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 28 July 2023

The senior royal arrived at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in an Alexander McQueen dress in ivory silk crepe with silver bullion and embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrock motifs. —Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 May 2023

Featuring a chain of gold discs on gold cloth, it is embroidered with the symbols of the United Kingdom, a rose, thistle, leek and shamrock. —Leila Sackur, NBC News, 6 May 2023

The glove is adorned with an array of national emblems such as the Tudor Rose, thistle, shamrock, oak leaves, and acorns, as well as a ducal coronet and the Dukes of Newcastle’s coat of arms. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2023

Additionally, symbolic shapes cover the surface of the Imperial Mantle, including roses, thistles, shamrocks, crowns, eagles, and fleurs-de-lis. —Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 May 2023

Designed by Michelle Wu, Britain’s Victorian heritage is poignant throughout the suite with floral and leave motifs national inspirations of roses, thistles, shamrocks and daffodils on the wallpaper. —Allyson Portee, Forbes, 2 May 2023

The beechwood seats were first fabricated by the London furniture makers White, Allon, and Company and feature ornate, gilt bases carved with a thistles, roses, and shamrocks (emblems of the United Kingdom), as well as the cyphers of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. —Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 2 May 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Irish seamróg, diminutive of seamar clover

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

shamrock

noun

sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk 

: a plant of folk legend with leaves composed of three leaflets that is associated with St. Patrick and Ireland

also : any of several plants (as a clover or a wood sorrel) or their leaves that resemble, are worn to represent, or are held to be the shamrock of legend

Etymology

from Irish seamróg, literally, "little clover"