1
: a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex (see complex entry 2 sense 1b(2)) or compound (see compound entry 3 sense 3b) sentence
The sentence "When it rained they went inside" consists of two clauses: "when it rained" and "they went inside."
2
: a separate section of a discourse (see discourse entry 1 sense 2) or writing
specifically
: a distinct article in a formal document
a clause in a contract
Examples of clause in a Sentence
The sentence “When it rained they went inside” consists of two clauses: “when it rained” and “they went inside.”
a clause in a will
Recent Examples on the Web
Karlsson, Rust, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin have full-no movement clauses and other thirty-somethings like Rickard Rakell and Kevin Hayes have modified no-trade clauses.
—
Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Included among them are a two-time Cy Young Award winner, a former batting champion, and several All-Stars whose contracts expired or contained opt-out clauses.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Considering the Yankees' other needs -- with re-signing outfielder Juan Soto at the top of their offseason to-do list -- voiding Cole's opt-out clause makes the most sense.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
On an 11-0 vote, council members instructed the city attorney to draft an ordinance removing the remodel clause.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clause 
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Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Included among them are a two-time Cy Young Award winner, a former batting champion, and several All-Stars whose contracts expired or contained opt-out clauses.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Considering the Yankees' other needs -- with re-signing outfielder Juan Soto at the top of their offseason to-do list -- voiding Cole's opt-out clause makes the most sense.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
On an 11-0 vote, council members instructed the city attorney to draft an ordinance removing the remodel clause.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clause
Articles Related to clause
Dictionary Entries Near clause
Cite this Entry
“Clause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clause. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clause
noun1
: a separate distinct part of an article or document
a clause in a will
2
: a group of words having its own subject and predicate but forming only part of a compound or complex sentence (as "when it rained" or "they went inside" in the sentence "when it rained, they went inside")
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