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
The set is available in 19 colors, including a rich clay shade ideal for autumn.
—
Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The decaying carcasses would have been covered by a film of bacteria, which can electrostatically attract clay found in the surrounding sediment.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
There are no organic remains, but dinosaur anatomy like skin, hooves, and spikes preserved in a sub-millimeter clay film during a process called clay templating.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
This clay molding process was known to preserve the form of soft animals in oxygen-poor areas, such as the muds at the bottom of lagoons and deep-sea trenches, Sereno says.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clay
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Melody Kazel, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The decaying carcasses would have been covered by a film of bacteria, which can electrostatically attract clay found in the surrounding sediment.
—Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
There are no organic remains, but dinosaur anatomy like skin, hooves, and spikes preserved in a sub-millimeter clay film during a process called clay templating.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
This clay molding process was known to preserve the form of soft animals in oxygen-poor areas, such as the muds at the bottom of lagoons and deep-sea trenches, Sereno says.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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