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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.


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.


Etymology

Origin of Clovis

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I knew Trump was going to announce it; I've said it all along," said Loperena, 69, who lives in Clovis, California.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

The strongest of the three was around Clovis in Fresno County and formed at 5:16 p.m. with wind speeds up to 125 mph, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 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

"If we don't load the boats enough, we won't break even," Clovis Engombe, vice-president of the local shipowners' association, told AFP.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

That is, everything about the Clovis phenomenon and its spread through the Americas corresponds to findings for other, unquestioned virgin-land colonizations in history.

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