cove

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a recessed place : concavity: such as
a
: an architectural member with a concave cross section
b
: a trough for concealed lighting at the upper part of a wall
2
: a small sheltered inlet or bay
3
a
: a deep recess or small valley in the side of a mountain
b
: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains

cove

2 of 3

verb

coved; coving

transitive verb

: to make in a hollow concave form

cove

3 of 3

noun (2)

British, old-fashioned
: man, fellow

Examples of cove in a Sentence

Noun (1) a secluded cove that smugglers once used
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
On the North Island, explore craggy coves and cliffside beaches along the Coromandel Peninsula, located across the gulf from Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 18 Dec. 2024 Paddle along the Gulf of Porto and uncover hidden coves or snorkel over vibrant reefs at Palombaggia Beach. Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024 Swell anchored several miles away, out of sight in Windfall Harbor, a hidden cove surrounded by soaring granite peaks laced with waterfalls. Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025 More of a coastal village, really, it's stretched out around a quiet, sweeping bay, protected from the wind and sea by a couple of islands which form a serene, natural cove. William Leigh, theweek, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cove 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, den, from Old English cofa; akin to Old High German chubisi hut

Noun (2)

Romani kova thing, person

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1756, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cove was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near cove

Cite this Entry

“Cove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cove. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

cove

noun
ˈkōv
1
: a small sheltered inlet or bay
2
: a level area sheltered by hills or mountains

More from Merriam-Webster on cove

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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