clause

noun

(grammar) A group of words that contains a subject and a verb; it may be part of a sentence or may constitute the whole sentence, depending on the syntax in each instance.

(grammar) 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 dependent (subordinate). (Independent clauses can be sentences; they can also be part of a sentence. Dependent clauses can only be part of a sentence.)

(grammar) A verb, its necessary grammatical arguments, and any adjuncts affecting them.

(law) A distinct part of a contract, a will or another legal document.

(databases) A constituent (component) of a statement or query.

A surname.

verb

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

Roots

claudoclaus- · Latin · close, shut

Synonyms for clause

articlen provison paragraphn provisionsn phrasen termsn sectionn sentencen

Synonyms & related words for clause

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of clause — including article, proviso, paragraph, provisions, phrase, terms. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to clause

Explore words related to clause — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include clausal, subparagraph, stipulations, apodosis, hypozeuxis, subsection, statute, concessive. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for clause

Common synonyms for clause include article, proviso, paragraph, provisions, phrase, terms, section, sentence — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does clause come from?

The word clause breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root claus-, from Latin claudo (“close, shut”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.