subordinate clause
noun Grammar.
a clause that modifies the principal clause or some part of it or that serves a noun function in the principal clause, as when she arrived in the sentence I was there when she arrived or that she has arrived in the sentence I doubt that she has arrived.
Also called
de·pend·ent clause.
Compare
main clause.
Words nearby subordinate clause
suborbital,
suborder,
subordinal,
subordinary,
subordinate,
subordinate clause,
subordinated,
subordinated debt,
subordinating conjunction,
subordination,
subordinationism
British Dictionary definitions for dependent clause (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for dependent clause (2 of 2)
subordinate clause
noun
grammar
a clause with an adjectival, adverbial, or nominal function, rather than one that functions as a separate sentence in its own right
Compare coordinate clause, main clause
Cultural definitions for dependent clause
dependent clause
A clause that does not stand alone as a sentence but depends on another clause to complete its meaning: “When I get my braces off, I will be very happy.” Dependent clauses are also known as subordinate clauses. (Compare independent clause.)