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
With more than 50 years of clay animation, Aardman unveiled a glimpse of a bright future this year at the Annecy Animation Film Festival, which opens June 21.
—
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 21 June 2026
Besides golf there is fishing, hiking, stargazing, croquet, crafts classes, fitness classes, clay shooting, axe throwing, archery, pickleball and even rock climbing.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
In a wide-ranging talk, the pair looked at their early foray into clay figures with children’s TV character Morph, which put the company the map, as well as their experimentation with animation for adults with their dark 1986 short Babylon.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 June 2026
Washington hawthorn is also very tolerant of most soils, even clay.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clay
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Kevin Giraud, Variety, 21 June 2026
Besides golf there is fishing, hiking, stargazing, croquet, crafts classes, fitness classes, clay shooting, axe throwing, archery, pickleball and even rock climbing.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
In a wide-ranging talk, the pair looked at their early foray into clay figures with children’s TV character Morph, which put the company the map, as well as their experimentation with animation for adults with their dark 1986 short Babylon.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 June 2026
Washington hawthorn is also very tolerant of most soils, even clay.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clay
Cite this Entry
“Clay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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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