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
Synonyms
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
Heavy clay soil can cause misshapen bulbs while poor drainage encourages rot.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024
Watching kids create art is a humbling and joyful experience — like peering into another realm filled with the wonder of first discovery and the knowledge that wet clay is a world unto itself.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
In Victorian-era England (roughly from the 1830s through 1900), for example, cheap, industrially produced clay pipes with rough stems often ground distinctive grooves into smokers’ teeth.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024
Find it on Amazon This Mask Stick Can Cleanse the Skin
Cleanse your skin on the go with this mask stick that uses Moroccan clay and charcoal to purify pores and rejuvenate the skin.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clay 
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024
Watching kids create art is a humbling and joyful experience — like peering into another realm filled with the wonder of first discovery and the knowledge that wet clay is a world unto itself.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
In Victorian-era England (roughly from the 1830s through 1900), for example, cheap, industrially produced clay pipes with rough stems often ground distinctive grooves into smokers’ teeth.
—Byandrew Curry, science.org, 4 Oct. 2024
Find it on Amazon This Mask Stick Can Cleanse the Skin
Cleanse your skin on the go with this mask stick that uses Moroccan clay and charcoal to purify pores and rejuvenate the skin.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clay
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.
Dictionary Entries Near clay
Cite this Entry
“Clay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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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