noun

clause

klawz

noun

A group of words with its own subject and verb, forming part of a sentence (or occasionally standing as one).

""Because it was raining" is a clause, but it needs another clause to complete the sentence."

"An independent clause can stand alone; a dependent one cannot."

A distinct section of a contract, will, or other legal document, setting out a specific term.

"The tenancy agreement had a clause banning pets."

"Lawyers argued for weeks over a single clause in the merger contract."

How to Use Clause

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn grammar, a subject-plus-verb chunk of a sentence; in law, a single numbered term in a document.

Common pairings

dependent clause independent clause a clause in the contract escape clause

claused past tense, clauses plural, Clauses plural, clauses singular

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Test yourself on “clause” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

"Because it was raining" is a _____, but it needs another clause to complete the sentence.

From Old French clause, ultimately from Latin claudere, "to close" — the same root as "close" and "closet."

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