Princeton's WordNet(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. clause(noun)

   (grammar) an expression including a subject and predicate but not constituting a complete sentence

2. article, clause(noun)

   a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. clause(Noun)

   A group of two or more words which include a subject and any necessary predicate (the predicate also includes a verb, conjunction, or a preposition) to begin the clause; however, this clause is not considered a sentence for colloquial purposes.

2. clause(Noun)

   A verb along with its subject and their modifiers. If a clause provides a complete thought on its own, then it is an independent (superordinate) clause; otherwise, it is (subordinate)dependent.

3. clause(Noun)

   A separate part of a contract, a will or another legal document.

4. clause(Verb)

   To amend (a bill of lading or similar document).

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Clause(noun)

   a separate portion of a written paper, paragraph, or sentence; an article, stipulation, or proviso, in a legal document

2. Clause(noun)

   a subordinate portion or a subdivision of a sentence containing a subject and its predicate

3. Clause(noun)

   see Letters clause / close, under Letter

Origin: [F. clause, LL. clausa, equiv. to L. clausula clause, prop., close of rhetorical period, close, fr. claudere to shut, to end. See Close.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Clause

   In grammar, a clause is the smallest grammatical unit that can express a complete proposition. A typical clause consists of a subject and a predicate, where the predicate is typically a verb phrase – a verb together with any objects and other modifiers. However the subject is sometimes not expressed; this is often the case in null-subject languages, if the subject is retrievable from context, but it also occurs in certain cases in other languages such as English. A simple sentence usually consists of a single finite clause with a finite verb that is independent. More complex sentences may contain multiple clauses. Main clauses are those that could stand as a sentence by themselves. Subordinate clauses are those that would be awkward or nonsensical if used alone.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Clause

   klawz, n. a sentence or part of a sentence: an article or part of a contract, will, &c.—adj. Claus′ular, pertaining to, or consisting of, a clause or clauses. [Fr. clause—L. clausus—claudĕre, to shut.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'clause' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2750

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'clause' in Nouns Frequency: #930

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of clause in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of clause in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

1. Adam Szubin:

   There is no grandfather clause. No provision in the deal gives signed contracts special status.

2. Keith Taylor:

   The ISDS clause, if retained, would mean we'd be a step closer to corporations writing our laws instead of governments.

3. Circuit Judge Thomas B. Ambro:

   It looks like he’s doing constituent services, and that doesn’t get you the shield of the speech and debate clause.

4. President Rafael Correa:

   The oil company wants to impose a clause that leaves the door open to continue suing the country and that is unacceptable.

5. Commissioner Vera Jourova:

   In the new Safe Harbour there will be a suspension clause, saying that under concrete conditions we are going to suspend (it).

Images & Illustrations of clause