clause

noun

ˈklȯz 

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

While the Oilers might prefer to move on and use his $3 million in cap space on an upgrade at the trade deadline, Skinner controls his own destiny with a no-movement clause in his contract. —Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Karlsson has two years remaining on his contract with a $10M AAV and a full no-movement clause. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

So in March 2024 the Alabama district court agreed with the plaintiffs that the CTA was likely unconstitutional under the commerce clause and issued a preliminary injunction that only applied to the plaintiffs in that case. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Context: San Francisco has held a unique role in helping establish the birthright citizenship clause thanks to native Wong Kim Ark, a Chinese-American man who was denied reentry into the U.S. in 1895 after visiting family in China. —Nadia Lopez, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa close of a rhetorical period, from Latin, feminine of clausus, past participle of claudere to close — more at close entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clause

• census clause
• coordinate clause
• dependent clause
• domestic emoluments clause
• elections clause
• emoluments clause
• enumeration clause
• escape clause
• foreign emoluments clause
• grandfather clause
• independent clause
• main clause
• nonrestrictive clause
• reserve clause
• restrictive clause
• subordinate clause

Kids Definition

clause

noun

ˈklȯz 

1

: 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")

Legal Definition

clause

noun

ˈklȯz 

: a distinct section of a writing

specifically : a distinct article, stipulation, or proviso in a formal document

a no-strike clause in the collective bargaining agreement

clausal

ˈklȯ-zəl 

adjective