often attributive
1
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2
: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: a limb ending in such a process
3
: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (such as a lobster or scorpion)
4
: something that resembles a claw
specifically
: the forked end of a tool (such as a hammer)
clawed; clawing; claws
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws
Examples of claw in a Sentence
Noun
The eagle was carrying a mouse in its sharp claws.
The excavating machine's claw dug into the earth.
the claw of a hammer
Verb
How can we stop the cat from clawing the drapes?
The dog clawed a hole in the carpet.
She tried to claw his face with her fingernails.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sam Corbin, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Then, on August 4, as the Capture Vehicle was almost in the moon pool, several of the claw arms gave way.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2025
Even after corporations clawed at the it-girl craze and spoiled the memes, Charli XCX strutted onward, unfazed, with high-profile remixes that gifted Brat’s songs a second life.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for claw 
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Noun
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues TUESDAY PUZZLE — Last year, New York Times Crossword solvers were treated to a puzzle designed to look like a claw machine, with a long arm of black squares grasping at a prize.
—Sam Corbin, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Then, on August 4, as the Capture Vehicle was almost in the moon pool, several of the claw arms gave way.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
Others were digging a multitude of holes, clawing for hidden underground cells.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2025
Even after corporations clawed at the it-girl craze and spoiled the memes, Charli XCX strutted onward, unfazed, with high-profile remixes that gifted Brat’s songs a second life.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for claw
Dictionary Entries Near claw
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
claw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal (as a cat or bird)
b
: a sharp curved extension especially if at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: one of the pincerlike organs on some limbs of arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)
2
: something that resembles a claw in shape or use
claw
2 of 2 verb
: to scratch, seize, or dig with or as if with claws
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