: one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb
clove
2 of 3past tense of cleave
: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree (Syzygium aromaticum synonym Eugenia aromatica) of the myrtle family that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil
also
: this tree
Examples of clove in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Her Sunnyside restaurant feels like a celebration of cultures, flowing with fruit-forward cocktails, as tables share stews like the red lentil misir humming with heat and warmed with cardamom and cloves.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
When pruning a clove tree, Shea says the goal is to create a nice, airy shape for maximum breathability.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clove
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Noun
Garlic is a kitchen staple for many, but spotting a green sprout poking out of a clove can raise questions about food safety.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Her Sunnyside restaurant feels like a celebration of cultures, flowing with fruit-forward cocktails, as tables share stews like the red lentil misir humming with heat and warmed with cardamom and cloves.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
When pruning a clove tree, Shea says the goal is to create a nice, airy shape for maximum breathability.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clove
Cite this Entry
“Clove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clove. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clove
1 of 3 noun
: one of the small bulbs that grows at the base of the scales of a large bulb
a clove of garlic
clove
2 of 3past of cleave
clove
3 of 3 noun
: the dried flower bud of a tropical tree related to the myrtle that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil
also
: this tree
Etymology
Noun
Old English clufu "clove, bulb"
Noun
Middle English clowe "clove bud," from early French clou, shortened form of the phrase clou de girofle, literally, "nail of clove," from Latin clavus "nail"
Medical Definition
clove
noun1
a
: the pungent fragrant aromatic reddish brown dried flower bud of a tropical evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae) that yields clove oil
b
: a spice consisting of whole or ground cloves
—usually used in plural
2
: the tree that is the source of cloves and is probably native to the Moluccas but is now widely cultivated in the tropics
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