1
a
: a Mediterranean evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil
also
: the fruit
b
: any of various shrubs and trees resembling the olive
2
: any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish green
3
: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata
1
: of the color olive or olive green
2
: approaching olive in color or complexion
Examples of olive in a Sentence
Noun
a sauce made with chopped olives
Does the suit come in olive?
Recent Examples on the Web
CBS News, 19 Nov. 2023
With its striking aromatics of tomatoes and olives, this powerful, expressive Greek red-grape variety boasts the boldness, tannins, and body required to stand up to any truffle or porcini dish.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023
The convertible backpack comes in seven colors too, including black, olive, and bright pink.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
The olives and peppers are classic additions that give the pizza a strong nostalgia factor.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, this region is known for a climate where wine grapes and olives thrive—and a cuisine that leans into fresh vegetables, grains, and a mix of meat and seafood.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2023
There are a lot of brands out there that are focusing on giving the customer more choices in bold yet approachable colorways like khaki, burgundy, cognac, and even olive.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
Moody shades like pale blues and olives play up the season's more typical tangerines.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2023
The characteristic manmade terraces called poggi were built to cultivate vineyards and olives, two of the region’s specialties.
—Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023
Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
But there has also been a major surge in attacks by armed Israeli settlers on Palestinians in nearby towns, hamlets, olive groves, and grazing land.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2023
These dark clouds and thunderclaps — even interspersed with the occasional roar of an Israeli fighter jet — would usually be a celebratory moment for this family of farmers, an essential lifesource for their olive groves in this otherwise desiccated uplands.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023
After dinner, cake was served on a patio overlooking the olive groves, before an all-night disco party ensued in the historic outbuildings of the house.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2023
Of course, they're mobbed in the summer, but the season begins in May and winds down in late October, so there's ample opportunity to enjoy the olive groves and vineyards without the crowds.
—Sara Lieberman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
He was last seen wearing a red and gray jacket; a blue, purple and brown patterned fleece; tan or red clay pants; and an olive brimmed hat, according to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
There’s contrasting navy corduroy trim on the olive colorway, plus brass snap front buttons for a modern effect.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 13 Sep. 2023
For tan and olive skin tones, warm up a chocolate base with soft copper and golden caramel.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
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Noun
The Palestinians have been killed by extremist settlers, their houses burned down, pushed out of villages, olive orchards chopped down in the middle of olive season, which is the number one income producing time for a lot of these villagers.
—CBS News, 19 Nov. 2023
With its striking aromatics of tomatoes and olives, this powerful, expressive Greek red-grape variety boasts the boldness, tannins, and body required to stand up to any truffle or porcini dish.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2023
The convertible backpack comes in seven colors too, including black, olive, and bright pink.
—Rachel Simon, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
The olives and peppers are classic additions that give the pizza a strong nostalgia factor.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
Situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, this region is known for a climate where wine grapes and olives thrive—and a cuisine that leans into fresh vegetables, grains, and a mix of meat and seafood.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2023
There are a lot of brands out there that are focusing on giving the customer more choices in bold yet approachable colorways like khaki, burgundy, cognac, and even olive.
—Nikita Charuza, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
Moody shades like pale blues and olives play up the season's more typical tangerines.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2023
The characteristic manmade terraces called poggi were built to cultivate vineyards and olives, two of the region’s specialties.
—Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Not far away, beyond an Israeli checkpoint, a Palestinian family kept the children close as night fell across the olive groves.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
But there has also been a major surge in attacks by armed Israeli settlers on Palestinians in nearby towns, hamlets, olive groves, and grazing land.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2023
These dark clouds and thunderclaps — even interspersed with the occasional roar of an Israeli fighter jet — would usually be a celebratory moment for this family of farmers, an essential lifesource for their olive groves in this otherwise desiccated uplands.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023
After dinner, cake was served on a patio overlooking the olive groves, before an all-night disco party ensued in the historic outbuildings of the house.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2023
Of course, they're mobbed in the summer, but the season begins in May and winds down in late October, so there's ample opportunity to enjoy the olive groves and vineyards without the crowds.
—Sara Lieberman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
He was last seen wearing a red and gray jacket; a blue, purple and brown patterned fleece; tan or red clay pants; and an olive brimmed hat, according to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2023
There’s contrasting navy corduroy trim on the olive colorway, plus brass snap front buttons for a modern effect.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 13 Sep. 2023
For tan and olive skin tones, warm up a chocolate base with soft copper and golden caramel.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'olive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing olive
Dictionary Entries Near olive
Cite this Entry
“Olive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
olive
noun
ol·ive
ˈäl-iv,
-əv
1
: a Mediterranean evergreen tree grown for its fruit
also
: the edible fruit of the olive tree that is the source of an oil
2
: a yellowish green
olive
adjective
Medical Definition
olive
noun
ol·ive
ˈäl-iv, -əv 
1
: an Old World evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil
also
: the fruit
2
: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata that contains the inferior olive of the same side
called also olivary body
More from Merriam-Webster on olive
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for olive
Nglish: Translation of olive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of olive for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about olive
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