1
: one that cleaves
especially
: a butcher's implement for cutting animal carcasses into joints or pieces
2
: a prehistoric stone tool having a sharp edge at one end
Examples of cleaver in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After rinsing, use a cleaver or a very sharp knife to cut the beef tendon into 3- to 4-inch pieces.
—
Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
An Arizona mother was convicted of killing her two children with a meat cleaver, according to multiple news reports.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Meat cleavers were wedged between the chicken cutting table and wall.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Prosecutors added, per the Republic, that Inoue had a meat cleaver with her.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleaver
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Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
An Arizona mother was convicted of killing her two children with a meat cleaver, according to multiple news reports.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Meat cleavers were wedged between the chicken cutting table and wall.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025
Prosecutors added, per the Republic, that Inoue had a meat cleaver with her.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleaver
Cite this Entry
“Cleaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleaver. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cleaver
noun
cleav·er
ˈklē-vər 
: a heavy knife with a wide blade
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