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
Choose a planting location that is full sun to partial shade with loam, sand, or clay soil.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Ancient mosaics even turn up in the basements of restaurants like Pancrazio in the old Pompey’s Theater, near where Julius Caesar was stabbed, while the walls of some bars in Testaccio have glass windows to reveal layers of broken clay amphorae discarded in antiquity.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
Near the servers, clay sculptures — petite doppelgängers immortalizing people who have worked for the organization — line the walls and spill into the pews.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025
Since wet soil compacts easily — especially the clay soil so common in the Chicago region — don’t rush to start gardening in spring.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clay
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025
Ancient mosaics even turn up in the basements of restaurants like Pancrazio in the old Pompey’s Theater, near where Julius Caesar was stabbed, while the walls of some bars in Testaccio have glass windows to reveal layers of broken clay amphorae discarded in antiquity.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Mar. 2025
Near the servers, clay sculptures — petite doppelgängers immortalizing people who have worked for the organization — line the walls and spill into the pews.
—Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025
Since wet soil compacts easily — especially the clay soil so common in the Chicago region — don’t rush to start gardening in spring.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 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 4 Apr. 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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