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 .)

Derived Forms

• ˈclausal, adjective

Other Words From

• clausal adjective
• sub·clausal adjective
• subclause 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

The New Zealander, who has rejected speculation that there is a break clause after next year's Six Nations in his contract, said he would resign if it was in the interests of Welsh rugby.

From BBC

Sudan's representative at the UN said that clauses that it wanted in the text were not included.

From BBC

Exact details of Gatland's contract - and whether there is a break clause - have never been officially revealed but the common assumption is the WRU would struggle to afford to get rid of the coach.

From BBC

Governments are dismantling encampments — and some are willing to use the notwithstanding clause to circumvent court rulings on their actions — as well as banning supervised drug consumption sites near day-care centres and schools.

From Salon

"Our contracts have maternity clauses which they never had before I was pregnant."

From BBC

Related Words

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