clay

noun

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
b
: earth, mud
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
clayey adjective
clayish adjective
claylike adjective

Examples of clay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Customers may want more padding on cement and roads than on a clay track. Mason Leib, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 The wrapping marks, cut into the clay like a memory made concrete, oscillate between signs of painful bondage and a warm embrace, a tension both social and artistic in 1970s Korean culture. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Decades later, after becoming a leader in the field of algebraic geometry, Voisin has again found time to paint and make clay sculptures. Quanta Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 Combining centuries-old Jewish folklore with the then-new medium of cinema, Paul Wegener and Carl Boese’s pioneering horror film draws its inspiration from a legend about a life-sized clay figure — a golem — that came to life to protect the Jews of Prague. Katie Rife, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2024 One day in 2018, a woman who lived next door to Jihan was stoking a clay oven on her roof. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Creativity for Kids Create With Clay Dinosaurs Buy on Walmart $24 Buy on Michaels $28 For a budding paleontologist or any little boy who loves prehistoric action, this clay dinosaur kit from Creativity for Kids is a great option. Erica Puisis, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 The organic matter – both wood and bread – was preserved by thin clay that covered the structure, according to Türkcan. Amarachi Orie, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Finish: Matte Key ingredients: Oils and gelling waxes, gelling clay Staying power: Formulated with intense pigment for long-wearing color Ease of application: For best results, try to keep the edges of the bullet sharp: This will allow for precicse, straight-from-the-tube application. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English clǣg; akin to Old High German klīwa bran, Latin gluten glue, Middle Greek glia

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near clay

Cite this Entry

“Clay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clay

noun
1
: 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 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Henry 1777–1852 American statesman and orator

Clay

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Lucius Du Bi*gnon du̇-ˈbin-yən How to pronounce Clay (audio) 1897–1978 American general

More from Merriam-Webster on clay

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