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

The Irish prime minister, known as the Taoiseach, typically hands the American president a bowl of shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025

Today’s social media influencers in nearby Wynwood may easily miss the the store, a 7,500-square-foot white cinder-block showroom with green shamrock logo in what was once billed as Miami’s Fashion District on Northwest Sixth Avenue hugging I-95. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Westminster Kennel Club; Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Today is Valentine's Day, traditionally celebrated with the sacred swapping of V-Day merch for shamrock and leprechaun decor at Target. —Holly J. Morris, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025

Shooting Shamrock Doughnut An Original Glazed doughnut dipped in light green icing with a green icing swirl, topped with a shamrock sugar piece. —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Irish seamróg, diminutive of seamar clover

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shamrock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk

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"