Clovis

¹ American  

[kloh-vis] / ˈkloʊ vɪs /

adjective

1. of or relating to a Paleo-Indian cultural tradition of North America, especially the American Southwest, dated 10,000–9000 b.c. and characterized by a usually bifacial, fluted stone projectile point Clovis point used in big-game hunting.

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Clovis ² American  

[kloh-vis] / ˈkloʊ vɪs /

noun

1. a town in central California.

2. a city in E New Mexico.

3. a male given name.

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Etymology

Origin of Clovis

1955–60; after Clovis, New Mexico, near where such projectile points were found

Example Sentences

Sydney Douglas finishes with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Cydnee Bryant has 13 points and 13 rebounds in Corona Centennial’s 73-66 win over Clovis.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The loss of Ice Age megafauna and the disappearance of Clovis tools and artifacts occurred around the same time as the onset of the Younger Dryas.

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

According to the study, this growing body of evidence "supports a cosmic impact as a major contributing factor in the megafaunal extinctions and the collapse of the Clovis technocomplex at the Younger Dryas onset."

From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026

In Division 1 boys, Redondo Union won the team title and Conor Lott of Clovis North held off Maximo Zavaleta of King to win the individual title.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2025

The latter sites are called Clovis sites, named after the type site near the town of Clovis, New Mexico, where their characteristic large stone spearpoints were first recognized.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond