clause

American  

[klawz] / klɔz /

noun

1. Grammar. a syntactic construction containing a subject and predicate and forming part of a sentence or constituting a whole simple sentence.

2. a distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document.

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clause British  

/ klɔːz /

noun

1. 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

2. a section of a legal document such as a contract, will, or draft statute

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clause Cultural  

1. A group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and predicate. (See dependent clause and independent clause.)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subclausal
  adjective
• clausal
  adjective
• subclause
  noun

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.

Example Sentences

Paz has broken through at Como under the guidance of Fabregas although, when Real Madrid sold him in 2024, they wisely inserted a buy-back clause that extends into 2027.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The guarantee clause has a long but often forgotten history linked to the pursuit of inclusive democracy.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Luckily for Germany, it will escape public rebuke because of a clause allowing for exemptions related to defence spending, which the country has ramped up in the wake of Russia's Ukraine invasion.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

The White House declined to comment on whether the administration would also make changes to the tax immunity clause.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

A comma’s a pause at the end of a clause.

From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author

Related Words

• article
• paragraph
• passage
• provision
• requirement
• section
• specification
• stipulation