Definitions for clause
klɔzclause

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(1.00 / 1 vote)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

How to pronounce clause?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say clause in sign language?

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

Examples of clause in a Sentence

1. Henri Barkey:

   There's almost an escape clause in there.

2. Adam Szubin:

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

3. Keith Taylor:

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

Images & Illustrations of clause

Popularity rank by frequency of use