1
: a group of words containing a subject and predicate and functioning as a member of a complex (see complex entry 2 sense 1b(2)) or compound (see compound entry 3 sense 3b) sentence
The sentence "When it rained they went inside" consists of two clauses: "when it rained" and "they went inside."
2
: a separate section of a discourse (see discourse entry 1 sense 2) or writing
specifically
: a distinct article in a formal document
a clause in a contract
Examples of clause in a Sentence
The sentence “When it rained they went inside” consists of two clauses: “when it rained” and “they went inside.”
a clause in a will
Recent Examples on the Web
Like the Fourteenth Amendment more generally, the citizenship clause was a guarantee of equality.
—
David Cole, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
According to Italian newspaper Il Sole, a Rome court found that the clauses allowing Netflix to change prices and terms between 2017 and January 2024 without providing a valid reason in the contract, are void.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2026
The citizenship clause at issue is part of which amendment to the Constitution?
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
At that time, Netflix adjusted its terms to state that contract terms could one day change due to technological, security, or regulatory needs, to clarify clauses, or to provide changes to the service, Il Sole 24 Ore reported.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clause
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David Cole, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
According to Italian newspaper Il Sole, a Rome court found that the clauses allowing Netflix to change prices and terms between 2017 and January 2024 without providing a valid reason in the contract, are void.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2026
The citizenship clause at issue is part of which amendment to the Constitution?
—Melinda Yao, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026
At that time, Netflix adjusted its terms to state that contract terms could one day change due to technological, security, or regulatory needs, to clarify clauses, or to provide changes to the service, Il Sole 24 Ore reported.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clause
Cite this Entry
“Clause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clause. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clause
noun1
: a separate distinct part of an article or document
a clause in a will
2
: a group of words having its own subject and predicate but forming only part of a compound or complex sentence (as "when it rained" or "they went inside" in the sentence "when it rained, they went inside")
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