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
Bryan said he’s been studying similar amendments from other states that have already added such clauses to their constitutions to learn from their strengths and weaknesses.
—
Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad all have no-movement clauses.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024
The amendment's insurrection clause, the court found, bars insurrectionists who have previously taken an oath to support the Constitution from holding public office.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 31 May 2024
The bill was a response to efforts to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot in Colorado under the Fourteenth Amendment’s insurrection clause.
—Reagan Priest, The Arizona Republic, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clause 
Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024
Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad all have no-movement clauses.
—Antwan Staley, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2024
The amendment's insurrection clause, the court found, bars insurrectionists who have previously taken an oath to support the Constitution from holding public office.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 31 May 2024
The bill was a response to efforts to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot in Colorado under the Fourteenth Amendment’s insurrection clause.
—Reagan Priest, The Arizona Republic, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clause
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clause.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near clause
Cite this Entry
“Clause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clause. Accessed 27 Jun. 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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