Showing results for "eaves"

• plural of eave.

eaves

British  

/ iːvz /

plural noun

1. the edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall

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Etymology

Origin of eaves

Old English efes; related to Gothic ubizwa porch, Greek hupsos height

Explanation

The part of a roof that sticks out past the side of a building is called the eaves. If you hear chirping outside your window, it may be birds nesting in the eaves of your house. Eaves are an architectural feature that look good aesthetically, but they also serve the important purpose of directing rainwater away from the house. The word stems from the Old English efes, meaning "edge of a roof" and also "edge of a forest." You'll almost always see this word in its plural form. In fact, some dictionaries list eaves as both the singular and plural.

Example Sentences

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

Around the base of the vents, he found a family of rodents and their droppings, along with gaping holes under the eaves of the roofline that allowed them inside.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

As depicted in a finely detailed illustration by Mr. Thompson, long eaves hang over the house’s facade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The house will be better shielded against fire, Abraham said, with concrete roof tiles, tempered windows, sprinklers and enclosed eaves.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2025

Though dusk hadn’t yet unfurled into night, clusters of people gathered under eaves and in doorways, their faces lost to the gloom and weak gaslight.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros