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

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 Supremacy Clause forbids the State from enforcing such legislation.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Appeared in the April 21, 2026, print edition as 'Distilling Down the Commerce Clause'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

"And it would be a little surprising if, after 150 years, we suddenly discovered we were applying the Citizenship Clause all wrong."

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The judge said Lake’s role failed to meet requirements under both the Constitution’s Appointments Clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

The International Confederation of Wizards has had to fine certain nations repeatedly for contravening Clause 73.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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