The eaves of a house are the lower edges of its roof.
There were icicles hanging from the eaves.
eaves in British English
(iːvz)
plural noun
the edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall
Word origin
Old English efes; related to Gothic ubizwa porch, Greek hupsos height
eaves in American English
(ivz)
plural nounWord forms: singulareave
the lower edge or edges of a roof, usually projecting beyond the sides of a building
Word origin
orig. sing., ME eves (pl. evesen) < OE efes, edge, border, eaves, akin to ON ups, church porch, OHG obiza, porch < IE *upes- < base *upo-, up from behind > up1, L summus
Examples of 'eaves' in a sentence
eaves
We entered a dimly lit dormitory like a tunnel under the eaves of the house.
John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)
It had carved beams around the windows and eaves painted a deep maroon.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They nest under the eaves of the house and can trace their lineage back for centuries longer than the house's human custodians.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A wasp nest right above my desk, in the eaves of the roof.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
My final night was spent in the home of a local teacher, with bees buzzing in a hive under the eaves outside my window.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A screen on the stage projected an exquisitely dull picture of the corner of the eaves of a house shot against an uninteresting sky.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Cut regularly, long before it reaches windows or eaves if it's heading that way.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Perched on the eaves of the roof, watching me, without a care in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The nest is often under the eaves of a house, or if you're unlucky in the attic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
If you plant near to a wall or under the eaves of a roof, make sure they don't get too dry.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
eaves
British English: eaves NOUN
The eaves of a house are the lower edges of its roof.