clause

[klawz]

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.

clause

/ 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

clause

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

Other Word Forms

• clausal adjective
• subclausal adjective
• subclause noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clause¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English claus(e), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa, back formation from Latin clausula clausula

Word History and Origins

Origin of clause¹

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin clausa a closing (of a rhetorical period), back formation from Latin clausula, from claudere to close

Example Sentences

County counsel Dawyn R. Harrison told the supervisors the ordinance “would most likely be challenged on the supremacy clause,” which holds that federal law supersedes state and local law.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

An arbitrator ends the “reserve clause” that had tethered players to one employer for life, triggering the largest salary gains of any group of employees, anywhere—and changing labor practices in all U.S. sports.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When the home secretary was asked if the government was prepared to exercise break clauses in contracts with providers in a BBC interview earlier this year, Mahmood said she would explore all options.

Read more on BBC

But even with the many welcome provisions, two contentious clauses in the reforms have particularly irked unions.

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There is a clause in the disciplinary code which effectively gives Fifa the right to cut or cancel any ban as it sees fit.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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