often attributive
1
a
: an earthy material that is plastic when moist but hard when fired, that is composed mainly of fine particles of hydrous aluminum silicates and other minerals, and that is used for brick, tile, and pottery
specifically
: soil composed chiefly of this material having particles less than a specified size
2
a
: a substance that resembles clay in plasticity and is used for modeling
b
: the human body as distinguished from the spirit
c
: fundamental nature or character
the common clay
3
Synonyms
Examples of clay in a Sentence
had the feeling that the natives were of a different clay than us and that neither side would ever understand the other
Recent Examples on the Web
The clay facial reconstruction developed by law enforcement.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 May 2024
Asphalt shingle replacement will fall toward the lower end of that cost range while replacing natural clay tiles will fall toward the higher end.
—Sara Kendall, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
Martina Navratilova won 74 straight matches in 1984. 1991 — Chicago Bull Michael Jordan, named NBA’s MVP.
2007 — Roger Federer ends Rafael Nadal’s 81-match winning streak on clay with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 win in the final of the Hamburg Masters.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Paint, pencils, a dressmaker's mannequin, books, a wooden model of a person, a not-yet-dry clay bust, a video game cabinet.
—Linda Holmes, NPR, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clay 
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 30 May 2024
Asphalt shingle replacement will fall toward the lower end of that cost range while replacing natural clay tiles will fall toward the higher end.
—Sara Kendall, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
Martina Navratilova won 74 straight matches in 1984. 1991 — Chicago Bull Michael Jordan, named NBA’s MVP.
2007 — Roger Federer ends Rafael Nadal’s 81-match winning streak on clay with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 win in the final of the Hamburg Masters.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2024
Paint, pencils, a dressmaker's mannequin, books, a wooden model of a person, a not-yet-dry clay bust, a video game cabinet.
—Linda Holmes, NPR, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for clay
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clay
Cite this Entry
“Clay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clay
noun1
: an earthy material that is sticky and easily molded when wet and hard when baked
2
: a plastic substance used like clay for modeling
Biographical Definition
Clay
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Lucius Du Bi*gnon
du̇-ˈbin-yən 
1897–1978 American general
1897–1978 American general
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