olive

1 of 2

noun

ol·​ive ˈä-liv 

-ləv

1

a

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

b

: any of various shrubs and trees resembling the olive

2

: any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellowish green

3

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata

olive

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of the color olive or olive green

2

: approaching olive in color or complexion

Examples of olive in a Sentence

Noun

a sauce made with chopped olives

Does the suit come in olive?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Two colors, dark olive and vintage khaki, are both more than half-off right now, while the shade true black is also discounted. —Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024

People who want to avoid seed oils have other choices, like olive, avocado, and peanut oils that have a higher monounsaturated fat content.20 However, these oils often cost more than seed oils. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Rising right out of some fields and olive groves half a mile from the archaeological site proper, a handsome huge cube of rusty-looking Corten steel holds the Museum of Troy. —John Oseid, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Anagha Nair The rhythm of the harvest must go on for farmers on Lebanon’s ancient olive groves, despite the interruptions of bombs falling on all sides. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin oliva, from Greek elaia

First Known Use

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing olive

• olive branch
• olive drab
• olive green
• olive oil
• olive ridley
• olive tree
• Russian olive

Kids Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive

ˈäl-iv,

-əv

1

: a Mediterranean evergreen tree grown for its fruit

also : the edible fruit of the olive tree that is the source of an oil

2

: a yellowish green

olive adjective

Medical Definition

olive

noun

ol·​ive ˈäl-iv, -əv 

1

: an Old World evergreen tree (Olea europaea of the family Oleaceae, the olive family) cultivated for its drupaceous fruit that is an important food and source of oil

also : the fruit

2

: an oval eminence on each ventrolateral aspect of the medulla oblongata that contains the inferior olive of the same side

called also olivary body