What Does “Eave” Mean

An eave is the part of a roof that sticks out beyond the wall of a building. It helps protect the walls from rain and can also give shade.

People usually use the word eave when talking about houses, buildings, or roof design. For example, someone might say rain is dripping from the eaves, or that a bird built a nest under the eaves.

Meaning & Usage

The eave is the lower edge of a roof that extends past the side of the house. In everyday English, it is often used in phrases like under the eaves or the eaves of a house.

Examples

The bird made a nest under the eaves.
Water dripped from the eaves after the rain.
They painted the house, including the eaves.

What is an eave on a house?

An eave is the part of the roof that hangs over the wall. It helps keep rain away from the building.

Is “eave” singular or plural?

Eave is singular. Eaves is the more common form people use in everyday speech.

Why are eaves important?

They help protect the walls and windows from water and can also improve the look of a house.