often attributive
1
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2
: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: a limb ending in such a process
3
: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (such as a lobster or scorpion)
4
: something that resembles a claw
specifically
: the forked end of a tool (such as a hammer)
clawed; clawing; claws
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws
Examples of claw in a Sentence
Noun
The eagle was carrying a mouse in its sharp claws.
The excavating machine's claw dug into the earth.
the claw of a hammer
Verb
How can we stop the cat from clawing the drapes?
The dog clawed a hole in the carpet.
She tried to claw his face with her fingernails.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
However, the Merc with a Mouth and the X-Man with Adamantium claws couldn’t match J. Robert Oppenheimer‘s reign last year.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Byjane Thier, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024
With absolutely no disrespect to the legend that is (was) Debra Jo Rupp’s comic relief, the show immediately clicks into a higher gear once Rio quite literally claws her way back into the show.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for claw 
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Noun
Seventeen states across the U.S. have been issued warnings and advisories for chilly weather as winter finally digs its claws into the country.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
However, the Merc with a Mouth and the X-Man with Adamantium claws couldn’t match J. Robert Oppenheimer‘s reign last year.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
Young people are desperate to claw their way into the most hard-to-get restaurants—and probably post about it afterward.
—Byjane Thier, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024
With absolutely no disrespect to the legend that is (was) Debra Jo Rupp’s comic relief, the show immediately clicks into a higher gear once Rio quite literally claws her way back into the show.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for claw
Dictionary Entries Near claw
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
claw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal (as a cat or bird)
b
: a sharp curved extension especially if at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: one of the pincerlike organs on some limbs of arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)
2
: something that resembles a claw in shape or use
claw
2 of 2 verb
: to scratch, seize, or dig with or as if with claws
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