claw

1 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2
: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also : a limb ending in such a process
3
: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (such as a lobster or scorpion)
4
: something that resembles a claw
specifically : the forked end of a tool (such as a hammer)
clawed adjective
clawlike adjective

claw

2 of 2

verb

clawed; clawing; claws

transitive verb

: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws

intransitive verb

: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws

Examples of claw in a Sentence

Noun The eagle was carrying a mouse in its sharp claws. The excavating machine's claw dug into the earth. the claw of a hammer Verb How can we stop the cat from clawing the drapes? The dog clawed a hole in the carpet. She tried to claw his face with her fingernails.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Just picture trying—and failing—to dog-ear a page in a book with pointy, curved claws. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 The team behind 2023 Japanese epic film Godzilla Minus One wore black boots and heels with Godzilla claws replacing their heels. Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Its impressive carapace alone can measure up to 12 inches across, with legs that can extend up to 12 feet from claw to claw. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 However, some small animals can make incredibly loud noises for their size, including the snapping shrimp, which use their claws to make popping sounds that measure up to 250 decibels, the release adds. Jack Guy, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 This proficient seafloor scavenger employs its ten appendages – eight for walking and two equipped with claws – to capitalize on scraps or dead animals drifting down from above. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 The cuts on my fingers were so worth it for these sweet claws. Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 The boozy business started as a bottle shop and game room with claw machines, shuffleboard and pinball, before evolving into a nightclub in the 1990s where standup comics and bands such as Death Cab for Cutie took the stage. Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 This portable electric nail file is great for beginners who are looking to get their claws into perfect nails this year. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2024
Verb
In the same way the price of gold is linked to a degree to the cost of clawing ore from the ground, the price of bitcoin should at least loosely mirror the hardware and energy costs associated with mining new bitcoin. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2024 With 10 wins in 11 games and the most points in the Eastern Conference, Florida has clawed victories out of just about every situation this year and added a new style of win Tuesday. David Wilson, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 This isn’t to say Denny’s hasn’t tried to claw its way back. Angela L. Pagán / The Takeout, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024 The Cyclones led 49-31 only to see Texas claw its way back behind Disu, who scored 28 points, including 16 in a row in one stretch of the second half. Jim Vertuno, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2024 Anyone who has watched Golden State this season knew what was coming — Philadelphia would pull it to within five points in the final five minutes of the game, and the Warriors would have to scratch and claw their way to the finish line. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 The Toreros jumped out to a six-point lead five minutes into the game and then pulled away late in the second half after the Broncos had clawed their way back. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 The cat had clawed the man on the shoulder a month before his symptoms began, close to the site where his first lesion was found. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 The Hurricanes led by 19 points with 10 minutes to go, and seemed to have the game in hand before the Panthers got hot from distance and clawed their way back to cut the gap to 70-68 on a clutch three-pointer by freshman Jaland Lowe with 46 seconds to go. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'claw.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English clawe, from Old English clawu hoof, claw; akin to Old Norse klō claw, and probably to Old English cliewen ball — more at clew

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of claw was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near claw

Cite this Entry

“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

claw

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal (as a cat or bird)
b
: a sharp curved extension especially if at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also : one of the pincerlike organs on some limbs of arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)
2
: something that resembles a claw in shape or use
clawed adjective
clawlike adjective

claw

2 of 2 verb
: to scratch, seize, or dig with or as if with claws

Medical Definition

claw

noun
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
clawed adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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