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 Another shopper’s tableau included retro yard furniture, a metal ice-cream bucket, corroded playground animals, a shamrock sign, a butter roller, a Hoosier cabinet, and, literally, a kitchen sink. Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024 Make a trail using footprints, green and gold confetti, or shamrock shapes that lead to a hidden treasure. Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024 The charms include an evil eye, a pair of lips, a cloud, a mushroom, a palm tree, a smiley face, a shamrock and a star, all motifs that have become synonymous with the fun and youthful brand. Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 17 July 2024 Aer Lingus was founded in 1936 and is the official airline for Ireland, and even has a whimsical shamrock on the tail. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for shamrock 

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 13 Oct. 2024.

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

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