clipped; clipping
1
2
a
: to hold in a tight grip : clutch
b
: to clasp, fasten, or secure with a clip
1
: any of various devices that grip, clasp, or hook
2
: a device to hold cartridges for charging the magazines of some rifles
also
: a magazine from which ammunition is fed into the chamber of a firearm
3
: something (such as a piece of jewelry) that is worn as an ornament or fastener and that is held in position by a clip
clipped; clipping
1
a
: to cut or cut off with or as if with shears
clip a dog's hair
clip an hour off traveling time
b
: to cut off the distal or outer part of
c(1)
(2)
: to cut items out of (a publication, such as a newspaper)
3
4
: to illegally block (an opposing player) in football
5
: to take money from unfairly or dishonestly especially by overcharging
the nightclub clipped the tourist for $200
1
: to clip something
2
: to travel or pass rapidly
3
: to clip an opposing player in football
1
a
b
: a 2-bladed instrument for cutting especially the nails
2
3
: an act of clipping
4
: a sharp blow
5
: rate sense 1a
continues at a brisk clip
6
: a single instance or occasion : time
he charged $10 a clip
—often used in the phrase at a cliptrained 1000 workers at a clip
Examples of clip in a Sentence
Verb (2)
a mother who's sad to see her little boy's curls clipped for the first time
the pitch clipped the batter's helmet with enough force to knock it clean off his head
Noun (2)
an unexpectedly low branch dealt him a clip to the head
Recent Examples on the Web
Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 June 2025
These product booms happen at a clip made possible only by the internet—and manufacturers can respond to this demand thanks to the industry’s rapid march toward digitalization.
—Bill Rokos, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
In one snap, the proud mom can be seen sitting in a pair of pajamas with her hair halfway clipped up as Santi sits on her lap, smiling at the camera.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clip
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Check out a clip of the finishing blow below, as well as footage of the entire fight.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 June 2025
These product booms happen at a clip made possible only by the internet—and manufacturers can respond to this demand thanks to the industry’s rapid march toward digitalization.
—Bill Rokos, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
Pinch-hitter Jose Tabata fouled off a pair of 2-2 pitches before Scherzer clipped him on the elbow with a breaking ball.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
In one snap, the proud mom can be seen sitting in a pair of pajamas with her hair halfway clipped up as Santi sits on her lap, smiling at the camera.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clip
Cite this Entry
“Clip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clip. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clip
2 of 4 noun1
: a device that grips, clasps, or hooks
2
: a device for loading cartridges into a firearm
also
: magazine sense 4a
3
: a piece of jewelry held by a clip
clip
3 of 4 verb
clipped; clipping
1
: to cut or cut off with or as if with shears
clip a hedge
clip out a news item
2
: to cut off or trim the hair or wool of
have the dog clipped
clip
4 of 4 noun1
: a two-bladed instrument for cutting especially the nails
2
: a section of filmed, videotaped, or recorded material
3
: an act of clipping
4
: a sharp blow
5
: a rapid pace
move along at a good clip
Etymology
Verb
Old English clyppan "to clasp"
Verb
Middle English clippen "to cut," of Norse origin
Medical Definition
clip
noun
: a device used to arrest bleeding from vessels or tissues during operations
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share