shamrock

noun

sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk How to pronounce shamrock (audio)
: 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

Examples of shamrock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The next day Nurse the hangover — or just have a refined day — with Afternoon Tea prepared by Bittersweet, including Irish soda bread, clams casino with Guinness cream and shamrock macarons. Moyo Adeolu, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025 Ogunbowale wrote, adding a shamrock emoji to assure her loyalty to the Fighting Irish. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025 Shallow vases of fresh clover can be displayed on kitchen counters and tables, offering an earthy interpretation of the iconic shamrock. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025 For England, there is a rose, for Scotland a thistle, for Wales a daffodil and for Northern Ireland a shamrock. Caoimhe O'Neill, The Athletic, 24 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for shamrock

Word History

Etymology

Irish seamróg, diminutive of seamar clover

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shamrock was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shamrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamrock. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

shamrock

noun
sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk How to pronounce shamrock (audio)
: 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on shamrock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!