clause
Americannoun
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Grammar. a syntactic construction containing a subject and predicate and forming part of a sentence or constituting a whole simple sentence.
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a distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document.
noun
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grammar a group of words, consisting of a subject and a predicate including a finite verb, that does not necessarily constitute a sentence See also main clause subordinate clause coordinate clause
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a section of a legal document such as a contract, will, or draft statute
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of clause
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English claus(e), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa, back formation from Latin clausula clausula
Explanation
A clause is a group of words with a subject and verb. That kind of clause is handy when talking about grammar. Another kind of clause is a provision or stipulation in a legal contract. Clause is a noun that comes from the old French clause, which, if we trace it way back, comes from the Latin clausula, “the end, a closing termination.” Around 1300, the “ending” implication of the word began to fade and was replaced by “article or section of a text.” In the grammatical sense, every sentence must have at least one independent clause. And in the legal sense, documents like prenuptial agreements or job contract often contain clauses.
Vocabulary lists containing clause
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The AP English Exam: Writing, Grammar, and Word Choice
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Case Closed: Clud, Clus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 3rd CLAUSE.
From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes; 4TH CLAUSE.
From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 10TH CLAUSE.
From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William
The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 5TH CLAUSE.
From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William
When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 7TH CLAUSE.
From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
