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 The spongy substance was made of organic materials and preserved due to a layer of clay, Necmettin Erbakan University said in a March 5 news release. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Ceramic sculptor Louisa Neill offers a pile of clay next to sequential photographs of digging a hole. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The city’s most urgent plans include installing two additional dewatering wells, which extract groundwater to stop it from infiltrating the layers of clay, and improving drainage systems to keep water from entering the ground in the first place. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The blue clay below Croix de Labrie vines always provides unique flavors. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Kent Melton, the animation sculptor who created maquettes made of clay for iconic characters found in movies including Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, The Incredibles and Coraline, has died. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2024 Record-setting rainstorms that have drenched Southern California have caused water to infiltrate the layers of clay in the landslide area, softening it and allowing for more rapid movement. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 Bursting out of the red dirt clay of their home state that gives the Red Clay Strays their name, the band is the musical manifestation of the push and pull between salvation and redemption. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2024 Made of clay, it was wedged above a human skull and surrounded by fragments of a striated wig. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 12 Feb. 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 19 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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