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

• clausal adjective
• subclausal 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

Example Sentences

In some cases, it can require a fairly thorough study from the Commerce Department, he noted, depending on which clauses are being used.

From MarketWatch

A second possible outcome would be for the appeals panel to affirm the guilty verdict but remove the "immediate effect" clause.

From BBC

Ultimately, the protection clause was included in the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also seeks information on a clause in the Netflix deal that would allow for a reduction in purchase price if Warner restructures its debt, asking how it might work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Georgia is seeking $390,000 in damages, pointing to a liquidated damage fee clause in the NIL contract that may or may not hold up in court.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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