eave

American  

[eev] / iv /

noun

• eaves
  plural

1. Usually eaves the overhanging lower edge of a roof.

2. Often eaves the overhanging edge of anything, as a hat.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• eaved
  adjective
• uneaved
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• eaves
  plural

Etymology

Origin of eave

before 1000; Middle English eves, Old English efes; cognate with Old High German obisa, Gothic ubizwa hall; cf. above, over

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eave eaves

An additional Hungarian team of 15-20 rescuers will eave Hungary on Thursday evening on a military plane provided by the government and arrive at the rescue site on Friday morning, Kovacs said.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 7, 2023

An overhanging eave or a neighboring fence provides additional shelter from wind and rain.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 18, 2023

And cross blocking between those supports should be installed at least every four to six feet as rafters rise from eave to ridge; walls more than six feet high also need cross supports.

From Washington Post ● Sep. 19, 2022

Over the last two decades, Mike Madrid has battled Democrats, Republicans, Donald Trump and a pesky family of squirrels that assumed residence in the eave of his Midtown Sacramento home.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2022

In the back, beneath the farthest eave, Joseph found three cartons marked simply with the letter B. They were filled with men’s clothing, some covered in dirt and mud, all carefully folded.

From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick

The heat risk in a studio apartment under the eaves with no through air -- windows on just one side for example -- was a negative point for Camille Couturier during a viewing with Denke.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

All the candidates want to improve on California’s Safer from Wildfires program that offers modest discounts for homeowners who install closed eaves and take other measures to make their homes wildfire resistant.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

They include installing a Class-A fire-rated roof, establishing a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around a home and installing fire-resistant vents and closed eaves, among other measures.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 19, 2026

At the new Palisades house, the roof and siding are fire-resistant, and the eaves are closed to prevent sparks from entering.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025

Mother long ago had shoved all the trunks and boxes as far as they could go under the eaves, leaving prime space for Luke’s brass bed and circular rag rug and books and toys.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix