clerk

noun

\ ˈklərk

, British usually ˈklärk

Definition of clerk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : cleric

2 archaic : scholar

3a : an official responsible (as to a government agency) for correspondence, records, and accounts and vested with specified powers or authority (as to issue writs as ordered by a court) city clerk

b : one employed to keep records or accounts or to perform general office work a bank clerk

c : one who works at a sales or service counter a store clerk a grocery clerk

d : a person (such as a law school graduate) who provides a judge, magistrate, or lawyer with assistance in such matters as research, writing, and analysis : law clerk

clerk

verb

clerked; clerking; clerks

Definition of clerk (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to act or work as a clerk clerked for a court judge

Other Words from clerk Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about clerk

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Examples of clerk in a Sentence

Noun

Have the court clerk file your request with the judge. He works as a clerk in a local pet store. a sales clerk at a women's clothing store

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Kavanaugh has also hired four clerks, all women, the first time that has happened. — Mark Sherman, The Seattle Times, "Kavanaugh to hear first arguments as Supreme Court justice," 8 Oct. 2018 In Michigan, register to vote TODAY with the Michigan Secretary of State, at its branches, or with the clerk of your city or town. — Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press, "Rochelle Riley: If you don't vote, you have no right to complain," 9 July 2018 Comment: The desk clerk wasn’t the only one who underrated Curry, starting with all the in-state ACC teams that snubbed him in the recruiting process. — Scott Fowler, charlotteobserver, "In 2009, Stephen Curry had NBA draft destination in mind, and it wasn't Golden State," 18 June 2018 Redmond O’Neal allegedly robbed a Los Angeles convenience store and threatened the clerk with a knife on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirms to PEOPLE. — Karen Mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Farrah Fawcett's Son Redmond O'Neal Arrested for Robbing Convenience Store at Knifepoint: Police," 9 May 2018 But Burrage — a supply clerk with the 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division — was thrown from the vehicle. — Matthew Martinez, star-telegram, "Surgeons 'grew' ear on Army private's arm after she was disfigured in horrific crash | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 9 May 2018 Stores will also be encouraged to hire knowledgeable clerks to make informed recommendations. — Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Kroger nabs first new Ohio liquor store as state aims for new shopping experience," 25 Apr. 2018 Milwaukee police asked the public for help Thursday in their search for a liquor thief who sprayed a store clerk with a liquid. — Jesse Garza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Police ask for help in search for thief who assaulted store clerk," 1 Mar. 2018 Robert Half says certain finance roles are particularly in high demand, estimating unemployment rates of 2.1% for accounting clerks, 1.2% for financial analysts, 1.6% for internal auditors and 1.6% for senior and staff accountants. — Ezequiel Minaya, WSJ, "Tight Labor Market Calls For Speedier Hiring Process," 8 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Kavanaugh, a conservative federal judge who previously served in the administration of George W. Bush, has been tapped to replace Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy, a longtime swing vote for whom Kavanaugh once clerked. — Nash Jenkins, Time, "Here's What the Key Senators Think About Brett Kavanaugh Right Now," 10 July 2018 The 53-year-old Kavanaugh, who clerked for Kennedy and who currently sits on the U.S. court of appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court, emphasized in his remarks accepting the nomination the importance of judicial independence. — Alana Abramson, Time, "President Trump Names New Supreme Court Justice," 10 July 2018 Although generally conservative, Justice Kennedy—for whom Judge Kavanaugh once clerked—joined liberals in several high-profile areas, including expansion of gay rights and limitations on capital punishment. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, "Supreme Court Opens New Term Without Ninth Justice in Place," 30 Sep. 2018 Kethledge also was sworn in as a member of the Sixth Court of Appeals at U-M. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, for whom Kethledge clerked, attended and spoke at the event. — David Jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Possible Supreme Court pick Kethledge's ties to University of Michigan," 9 July 2018 Maybe another woman studied her ass off, made law review, and was a finalist to clerk at the Supreme Court—but was told nah, not this time, we like this other guy, whose parents both went to law school and whose mom is also a judge. — Wendy Naugle, Glamour, "On Boys Being Boys: In What World Can We Forgive a Few High School Indiscretions?," 19 Sep. 2018 The 51-year-old judge earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Michigan, and, like Kavanaugh, once clerked for Justice Kennedy. — Celeste Katz, Glamour, "Trump's Supreme Court Pick May Come From This List. Here's Where They Stand on Women's Issues.," 9 July 2018 Barrett had been a favorite of grassroots conservatives as a young female with strong religious views who honed her judicial philosophy clerking for Antonin Scalia. — Maureen Groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Barrett passed over for high court, but Donnelly still faces tough choice," 9 July 2018 The President dwelled on Kavanaugh’s Ivy League credentials, which were a focus of Trump’s during the selection process, and the fact that, like Gorsuch, Kavanaugh had also clerked for Justice Kennedy. — Brian Bennett, Time, "How President Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Could Change the U.S.," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clerk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near clerk

Statistics for clerk

Last Updated

14 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for clerk

The first known use of clerk was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for clerk

clerk

noun

English Language Learners Definition of clerk

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a person whose job is to keep track of records and documents for a business or office

: an elected or appointed official whose job is to take care of official papers and business for a court or government

: a person who works in a store

clerk

verb

English Language Learners Definition of clerk (Entry 2 of 2)

US : to work as a clerk

See the full definition for clerk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

clerk

noun

\ ˈklərk

Kids Definition of clerk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person whose job is to keep records or accounts

2 : a salesperson in a store

clerk

verb

clerked; clerking

Kids Definition of clerk (Entry 2 of 2)

: to act or work as a clerk

clerk

noun

\ ˈklərk

Medical Definition of clerk

: a third- or fourth-year medical student undergoing clinical training in a clerkship

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clerk

noun

Legal Definition of clerk

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an official responsible (as to a court) for correspondence, records, and accounts and having specified powers or authority (as to issue writs) a city clerk clerk of court

2a : a person employed to keep records or accounts or to perform general office work

b : a person (as a law student or graduate) employed by an attorney or judge to assist with case-related tasks (as research) — compare paralegal