clause

[klawz]

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.

clause

/ 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

clause

1. A group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and predicate. (See dependent clause and independent clause.)

Other Word Forms

• clausal adjective
• subclausal adjective
• subclause noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clause¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English claus(e), from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin clausa, back formation from Latin clausula clausula

Word History and Origins

Origin of clause¹

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin clausa a closing (of a rhetorical period), back formation from Latin clausula, from claudere to close

Example Sentences

Other details revealed in the lease include clauses specifying that no helicopters are able to land there, and no gambling is allowed on the premises.

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"It's a simple single clause, it could be added to constitutional bill or a private member's bill," she said.

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Neither Carlos, who is Afro-Panamanian, nor I, being Jewish, would have been allowed to live here when that clause was written.

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But Silva is under contract at Craven Cottage, with sources informing BBC Sport that the 48-year-old has a "significant" release clause in his contract.

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He cut the clauses he didn’t like and called it law.

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Related Words

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