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

• subclause
  noun
• clausal
  adjective
• subclausal
  adjective

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

The Catalan club have a deadline of 15 June - two days before England's World Cup opener against Croatia - to activate a clause to trigger a £26m deal.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Though not well known and perennially underenforced, this clause provides an important hook for congressional action to safeguard an inclusive, multiracial 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

He waived a no-trade clause to make it happen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Mr. Patch-Withers gave us a five-minute written quiz on the “necessary and proper” clause of the Constitution.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

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