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
For Leverkusen, the £29.6m fee is subject to a sell-on clause owed to Celtic.
—
Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Veteran first baseman/outfielder Dom Smith has exercised his opt-out clause from the New York Yankees organization and will head to free agency.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
At its core, the CHOICE Act extends the allowable duration of noncompete clauses to four years for employees earning over twice the mean wage in their county, eliminating the requirement for employers to demonstrate a legitimate business interest before enforcing them.
—Sam Peak, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
With a roster full of players still under club control, as well as several players whose contracts don’t include no-trade clauses, the options are nearly endless.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clause
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Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Veteran first baseman/outfielder Dom Smith has exercised his opt-out clause from the New York Yankees organization and will head to free agency.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
At its core, the CHOICE Act extends the allowable duration of noncompete clauses to four years for employees earning over twice the mean wage in their county, eliminating the requirement for employers to demonstrate a legitimate business interest before enforcing them.
—Sam Peak, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
With a roster full of players still under club control, as well as several players whose contracts don’t include no-trade clauses, the options are nearly endless.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clause
Cite this Entry
“Clause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clause. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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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