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
Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
The 30-foot-tall carnivorous theropod was a fearsome predator with three-toed claws who walked on two hind legs and resembled something similar to a Velociraptor.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Justine Calma, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2025
Teams have been desperately clawing for seeding with the playoffs shaping up and players and coaches have been leaving it all on the field.
—Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for claw 
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
Only the imperial court was allowed to represent a dragon with five claws.
—Han Ong, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
The 30-foot-tall carnivorous theropod was a fearsome predator with three-toed claws who walked on two hind legs and resembled something similar to a Velociraptor.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
And time is running out to spend down climate funds from the Inflation Reduction Act before the Trump administration can attempt to claw it back.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 10 Jan. 2025
Teams have been desperately clawing for seeding with the playoffs shaping up and players and coaches have been leaving it all on the field.
—Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for claw
Dictionary Entries Near claw
Cite this Entry
“Claw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/claw. Accessed 19 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share