shamrock

noun

sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk 

: 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

b

: wood sorrel

c

: white clover

Examples of shamrock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, lamp posts are adorned with shamrocks – Ireland’s unofficial symbol – though those are more clearly visible in an uncropped, higher-resolution version of the image. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

Purchase a pot of oxalis (shamrocks) from your local nursery and put it on your kitchen table (or any place your child will see it). —Amanda Rock, Parents, 30 July 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Irish seamróg, diminutive of seamar clover

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

shamrock

noun

sham·​rock ˈsham-ˌräk 

: 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"