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
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
Each started as a clay model before being enlarged and cast in bronze, then coated in chrome.
—
Nick Remsen, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
During the dig, students found numerous artifacts from the 19th century, including clay pipe fragments, a possible half-penny from the Glorious Revolution and a 17th-century ditch built to protect the castle while it was being built.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
How to Watch Gateway Dirt Nationals The 2025 Gateway Dirt Nationals fire up December 4–6, bringing indoor dirt-track racing back to life on a temporary 1/5-mile clay oval inside the Dome.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Movie creatures have been in his blood and in his soul and under his fingernails since Hill was making monsters out of riverbank clay as a kid.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clay
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Nick Remsen, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
During the dig, students found numerous artifacts from the 19th century, including clay pipe fragments, a possible half-penny from the Glorious Revolution and a 17th-century ditch built to protect the castle while it was being built.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025
How to Watch Gateway Dirt Nationals The 2025 Gateway Dirt Nationals fire up December 4–6, bringing indoor dirt-track racing back to life on a temporary 1/5-mile clay oval inside the Dome.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Movie creatures have been in his blood and in his soul and under his fingernails since Hill was making monsters out of riverbank clay as a kid.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clay
Cite this Entry
“Clay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
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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