\ ˈklȯ
\
\
Definition of claw
(Entry 1 of 2)
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)
claw
verb
clawed;
clawing;
claws
Definition of claw (Entry 2 of 2)
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws
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Other Words from claw
Noun
clawed
\ ˈklȯd
\
adjective
\
adjective
clawlike
\ ˈklȯ-ˌlīk
\
adjective
\
adjective
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 hammerVerb
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: Noun
The enormous balloon rodent loomed large on the streets of New York and across the country, with its buckteeth, menacing claws and crimson eyes drawing attention to the grievances of union protesters who had inflated it. — Michael Gold, New York Times, "Scabby, the Giant Inflatable Union Protest Rat, Faces Extermination," 31 July 2019 The retailer known for selling super-sized products like giant lobster claws and 27-pound tubs of macaroni and cheese has updated its Apple and Android apps to allow members a digital version of the card. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Costco digital membership cards can be used at wholesale clubs – but not for gas," 26 July 2019 But Isla has claws that can grow up to 4 inches long, a full body of fur and a nose that's long enough to poke into holes or tunnels to retrieve tasty insects. — Terry Demio, Cincinnati.com, "When playing with the zoo animals isn't really play," 30 May 2019 The chick, which measures just 1.2 inches in length, is a kind of bird from a prehistoric lineage called the enantiornithines, which had teeth in their beaks and small wing claws, but otherwise looked very similar to modern birds. — John Pickrell, National Geographic, "Prehistoric birds were born ready to run, fossil shows," 21 Mar. 2019 Menacing elements, like the glowing eyes that peer out of the forest and the giant inflatable dragon’s head, claws and tail, are appropriately more funny than scary, since Siegfried has never learned to fear. — Heidi Waleson, WSJ, "‘Siegfried’ Review: Far From Child’s Play," 6 Nov. 2018 There are also two bedrooms, one has a claw-foot tub that adds to the space's historic charm. — Darla Guillen Gilthorpe, Houston Chronicle, "Make your short Texas getaways memorable by booking a unique rental, from a house boat to a prison," 23 Aug. 2019 The Waterworks claw-foot tub has traditional lines but makes a graphic statement. — Emma Bazilian, House Beautiful, "There's More to This Historic-Looking Nova Scotia House Than Meets the Eye," 31 July 2019 Unlike human nails, a cat’s claws are attached to bone, so declawing a feline requires a veterinarian to slice through tendon and nerves to remove the last segment of bone in a cat’s toes. — Washington Post, "New York poised to become first state to ban cat declawing," 5 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The bat could claw and bite the shutters on the door throughout the night before being set free when the contractors return the next day. — Leslie Sargent Eskildsen, The Mercury News, "Secure your valuables when listing your home for sale," 26 Aug. 2019 The runner, who was clawed and bitten in the attack, choked and bludgeoned the mountain lion to death. — Saja Hindi, The Denver Post, "Hunt resumes for mountain lion that bit 8-year-old’s head in Bailey subdivision," 22 Aug. 2019 Kolton Miller fought and clawed his way through his rookie season, mostly on one knee, and comes back in Year 2 heavier (pushing 330 pounds) and presumably smarter and more confident as the incumbent on the left side. — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Are Raiders’ tackles up to task of protecting Derek Carr?," 28 July 2019 All the lines to and from the world, all the hungry beings clawing and sucking and pawing at it, everything cut off. — David Canfield, EW.com, "Ready for more Slayer? Get a first look at Kiersten White's next Buffy-based novel," 17 July 2019 The antelope is attacking the lion, Young coming to midcourt to meet LeBron, moving his feet and clawing at the ball and joined for a moment by Bogdanovic himself. — Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Bogdanovic betters LeBron with Reggie Miller moment as Pacers stun Cavs in Game 3," 20 Apr. 2018 The narrow victory over the Rockies showcased the formula the Giants have used to claw their way back into contention for a Wild Card berth. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "The 2019 Giants found their winning blueprint, but is it sustainable?," 4 Aug. 2019 Before the July 26 event, Rocco had been clawing his way back up the standing and closing in on points-leader Todd Owen. — Shawn Courchesne, courant.com, "Keith Rocco pulls reversal in Stafford SK Modified feature," 3 Aug. 2019 That starts over these next two weeks, when Colorado and its four-man rotation can either fade from playoff contention for good or start to claw its way back in it. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Rockies’ starting pitchers know the onus for an improbable turnaround is on them: “The pressure of the game is definitely on all of us right now.”," 28 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'claw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for claw
claw
noun
English Language Learners Definition of claw
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a sharp curved part on the toe of an animal (such as a cat or bird)
: a body part of an animal (such as a lobster or crab) that is used for gripping and holding things
: a part on a tool or machine that is used for gripping, digging, etc.
claw
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of claw (Entry 2 of 2)
: to scratch, grip, or dig with claws or fingers
See the full definition for claw in the English Language Learners Dictionary
claw
noun
\ ˈklȯ
\
\
Kids Definition of claw
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a sharp usually thin and curved nail on the finger or toe of an animal (as a cat or bird)
2
: the end of a limb of some animals (as an insect, scorpion, or lobster) that is pointed or used for grasping
claw
verb
clawed;
clawing
Kids Definition of claw (Entry 2 of 2)