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 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 See More

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near shamrock

Cite this Entry

“Shamrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shamrock. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

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"

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