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; clawing; claws
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: 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
Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The species has reddish-brown claws and front of its body, while the rest of the creature is a tan or lightish brown color, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Their short, muscled limbs and four-inch claws can break apart rotting logs for grubs and beetles, and dig for worms, boosting decomposition and cycling nutrients in the thin topsoil.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
The plated dish consisted of a lobster head, claws and tail jutting out of a whole chicken.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
But the Space Monkey is like a skinner Rage Craw with a few extra claws.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 21 Mar. 2024
From there, a giant claw hook put them into the back of open trailer.
—Sean Murphy, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024
The large sleek lions hunt alone, ambushing their prey with their curved retractile claws from behind and killing with a bite to the skull.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
Photo : Blue Book Agency/Savills Bathroom One of the seven bathrooms, with a claw foot tub.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Dallas never relented and clawed within two, but the Warriors nonetheless narrowly escaped.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
This clever brooch is meant to claw at the side of a lapel in a nod to a singular apendage of the maison‘s perennial mascot, the Panthère.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
The only way to begin clawing his way back is to start making payments on time (and, ideally, in full), as well as only using about 10 to 30 percent of his available credit each month.
—The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024
The rug stood up to vigorous brushing—after being clawed and scratched at, no fibers came up.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2024
Fisker’s future has never felt so uncertain, and whether the company does manage to claw its way out of crisis during the ongoing EV winter remains to be seen.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 27 Mar. 2024
Cartier From a brooch meant to claw at your lapel to a gem-set Carabiner and jeweled sunglasses, Cartier’s new Cartier Libre Polymorph collection is chock full of cool collectibles.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Apple tried to claw its way back from a series of setbacks.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
Inside is a tardigrade, so well-preserved that its tiny claws are still visible.
—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
The species has reddish-brown claws and front of its body, while the rest of the creature is a tan or lightish brown color, according to the study.
—Irene Wright, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Their short, muscled limbs and four-inch claws can break apart rotting logs for grubs and beetles, and dig for worms, boosting decomposition and cycling nutrients in the thin topsoil.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2024
The plated dish consisted of a lobster head, claws and tail jutting out of a whole chicken.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
But the Space Monkey is like a skinner Rage Craw with a few extra claws.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 21 Mar. 2024
From there, a giant claw hook put them into the back of open trailer.
—Sean Murphy, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2024
The large sleek lions hunt alone, ambushing their prey with their curved retractile claws from behind and killing with a bite to the skull.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
Photo : Blue Book Agency/Savills Bathroom One of the seven bathrooms, with a claw foot tub.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
In the summer of 1994, very few people expected Rwanda to survive as an independent state, let alone bounce back and become an inspiration to people clawing their way out of violence and trauma around the world.
—Jonathan M. Hansen, TIME, 7 Apr. 2024
Dallas never relented and clawed within two, but the Warriors nonetheless narrowly escaped.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
This clever brooch is meant to claw at the side of a lapel in a nod to a singular apendage of the maison‘s perennial mascot, the Panthère.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
The only way to begin clawing his way back is to start making payments on time (and, ideally, in full), as well as only using about 10 to 30 percent of his available credit each month.
—The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024
The rug stood up to vigorous brushing—after being clawed and scratched at, no fibers came up.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2024
Fisker’s future has never felt so uncertain, and whether the company does manage to claw its way out of crisis during the ongoing EV winter remains to be seen.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 27 Mar. 2024
Cartier From a brooch meant to claw at your lapel to a gem-set Carabiner and jeweled sunglasses, Cartier’s new Cartier Libre Polymorph collection is chock full of cool collectibles.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
Meanwhile, Apple tried to claw its way back from a series of setbacks.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 8 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near claw
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
claw
1 of 2 noun1
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
claw
2 of 2 verb
: to scratch, seize, or dig with or as if with claws
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