shamrock

[ sham-rok ]

noun

1. any of several trifoliate plants, as the wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella, or a small, pink-flowered clover, Trifolium repens minus, but especially Trifolium procumbens, a small, yellow-flowered clover: the national emblem of Ireland.

shamrock

/ ˈʃæmˌrɒk /

noun

1. a plant having leaves divided into three leaflets, variously identified as the wood sorrel, red clover, white clover, and black medick: the national emblem of Ireland

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamrock¹

1565–75; < Irish seamróg, equivalent to seamair clover + -óg diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamrock¹

C16: from Irish Gaelic seamrōg, diminutive of seamar clover

Example Sentences

He was presented with the first shamrock by the Duchess of Edinburgh.

From BBC

Though he did write that "drowning the shamrock... by no means implies that it is necessary to get drunk in doing so".

From BBC

It is believed he used shamrock to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity to pagans, which is why the clover has become synonymous with St Patrick's Day celebrations.

From BBC

A popular sight around the holiday is the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, linked to Ireland and St. Patrick.

From Seattle Times

But the traditional shamrock camaraderie of this year’s get-together will be tempered by an undercurrent of tension stemming from the war in the Middle East.

From New York Times