: 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
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2025
The love story is reluctant allies to lovers, with a dash of fake dating, a pinch of pen pals and a whole clove of secret identities.
—Lia Amador, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
This cake uses that magical trio of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for its main flavoring, but pairs the warm, complex goodness with a tangy, sweet cream cheese glaze for good measure.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The classic spice blend combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, each offering health benefits that work individually or together to provide additional benefits.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clove
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Noun
Garten usually goes for pears, figs, apricots, and prunes, along with citrus zest, vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon to ensure every piece of fruit is soaked in sweet and spicy goodness.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2025
The love story is reluctant allies to lovers, with a dash of fake dating, a pinch of pen pals and a whole clove of secret identities.
—Lia Amador, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025
This cake uses that magical trio of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for its main flavoring, but pairs the warm, complex goodness with a tangy, sweet cream cheese glaze for good measure.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
The classic spice blend combines cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, each offering health benefits that work individually or together to provide additional benefits.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clove
Cite this Entry
“Clove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clove. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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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