clause

Clause is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /klɔːz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Homophones

• claws

Noun

Singular clause

Plural clauses

A clause with NP (John) as subject and VP (hit the ball) as predicate

1. A clause is a section in a contract or other legal document.

   The author's contract contained a clause giving him creative control over the films.

2. (grammar) A clause is a group of words that usually includes a subject and a predicate. In English, the subject usually comes before the predicate.

   The last clause in the sentence is hard to understand without knowing some background.