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shamrock

noun
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sham·​rock | \ ˈsham-ˌräk How to pronounce shamrock (audio) \

Definition of shamrock

: 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 Its members use the shamrock as a symbol, but also sport swastika tattoos and other Nazi symbolism. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, "Newsom allows famous Aryan Brotherhood dropout, convicted of two murders, to be paroled," 24 Aug. 2019 As Hello! magazine reports, Kate handed out shamrocks at the parade to officers and warrant officers in the Irish Guards, a tradition started in 1901 by Queen Alexandra, who was married to Edward VII. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kate Middleton Celebrates St. Patrick's Day 2019 in a Custom Alexander McQueen Coat," 17 Mar. 2019 Thumping through it with a spoon reveals perfectly cooked shrimp floating in shamrock-green sauce. — The Economist, "The apotheosis of Chinese cuisine in America," 18 Dec. 2019 But that’s waning, with a greater diversity of brewpubs suddenly overtaking what had been the mainstay of shamrock-loving patrons for years. — David Migoya, The Denver Post, "Is it the last call for Irish pubs around Denver?," 29 Nov. 2019 Blute said, pointing to a tombstone that still needed shamrocks emblazoned on top. — Jessica Rinaldi, BostonGlobe.com, "Neighbors working together after tornado on Cape Cod," 24 July 2019 Our city flag and logo prominently feature shamrocks. — Dean Wallace, The Mercury News, "Opinion: How two Dublins ended up flying the flag of LGBTQ Pride," 25 June 2019 Along the way it is marked by haphazardly painted shamrock-green arrows (that often look just like blobs of paint) on trees or rocks. — Dina Mishev, Washington Post, "Hiking Spain’s luminous Lighthouse Way," 7 June 2019 Its symbol is the shamrock, though its members are also known to display swastika tattoos and other Nazi symbols. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, "Feds announce massive California bust of notorious Aryan Brotherhood prison gang," 6 June 2019

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

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First Known Use of shamrock

1577, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for shamrock

Irish seamróg, diminutive of seamar clover

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Time Traveler for shamrock

Time Traveler

The first known use of shamrock was in 1577

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Statistics for shamrock

Last Updated

4 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Shamrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamrock. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for shamrock

shamrock

noun
How to pronounce shamrock (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of shamrock

: a small plant with three leaves on each stem that is the national symbol of Ireland

See the full definition for shamrock in the English Language Learners Dictionary

shamrock

noun
sham·​rock | \ ˈsham-ˌräk How to pronounce shamrock (audio) \

Kids Definition of shamrock

: a plant (as some clovers) that has leaves with three leaflets and is used as an emblem by the Irish

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More from Merriam-Webster on shamrock

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with shamrock

Spanish Central: Translation of shamrock

Nglish: Translation of shamrock for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shamrock

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