often attributive
1
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2
: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: a limb ending in such a process
3
: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (such as a lobster or scorpion)
4
: something that resembles a claw
specifically
: the forked end of a tool (such as a hammer)
clawed; clawing; claws
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws
Examples of claw in a Sentence
Noun
The eagle was carrying a mouse in its sharp claws.
The excavating machine's claw dug into the earth.
the claw of a hammer
Verb
How can we stop the cat from clawing the drapes?
The dog clawed a hole in the carpet.
She tried to claw his face with her fingernails.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ana Escalante, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025
Open since 1956, this popular spring break destination features a surprisingly extensive menu, including steaks, salads, and crab claws.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Relatively early in its history, Mars lost its magnetic field, which allowed the solar wind to claw away most of its atmosphere; with that, much of the water sublimed into space.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for claw
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Noun
The lined look that dominated the first few years of the 2000s has slowly but surely become the must-have style for beauty lovers embracing the Y2K wave, along with claw clips, mini shoulder bags, and low-rise skirts.
—Ana Escalante, Glamour, 17 Mar. 2025
Open since 1956, this popular spring break destination features a surprisingly extensive menu, including steaks, salads, and crab claws.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
But by now, the hantavirus was clawing its way into her lungs.
—Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Relatively early in its history, Mars lost its magnetic field, which allowed the solar wind to claw away most of its atmosphere; with that, much of the water sublimed into space.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for claw
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
claw
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal (as a cat or bird)
b
: a sharp curved extension especially if at the end of a limb (as of an insect)
also
: one of the pincerlike organs on some limbs of arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)
2
: something that resembles a claw in shape or use
claw
2 of 2 verb
: to scratch, seize, or dig with or as if with claws
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