disability clause: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (Advanced)Formal, Technical, Legal, Business, Financial
Quick answer
What does “disability clause” mean?
A provision in a contract (especially insurance) that defines the conditions and benefits payable if a person becomes disabled and unable to work.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A provision in a contract (especially insurance) that defines the conditions and benefits payable if a person becomes disabled and unable to work.
A contractual clause specifying terms for disability, including definitions of disability, waiting periods, benefit amounts, and duration of payments. It can also refer to clauses in employment contracts or partnership agreements outlining rights and obligations in case of long-term incapacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Slight potential difference in associated terminology: 'permanent health insurance' (UK) vs. 'long-term disability insurance' (US) may contain such clauses.
Connotations
Both carry the same formal, technical connotations related to contractual law and risk management.
Frequency
Equally frequent in professional/technical contexts in both regions. Rare in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “disability clause” in a Sentence
The [CONTRACT] contains a disability clause.The disability clause in the [AGREEMENT] states that...To activate/trigger the disability clause.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disability clause” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The policy was amended to disability-clause certain pre-existing conditions.
- They sought to disability-clause the agreement for greater security.
American English
- The contract was disability-claused to include a longer elimination period.
- We need to disability-clause this partnership agreement.
adjective
British English
- The disability-clause provisions were heavily negotiated.
- He reviewed the disability-clause wording carefully.
American English
- The disability-clause details are in section 4B.
- They hired a lawyer for disability-clause advice.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Crucial in executive contracts and partnership agreements to protect business continuity.
Academic
Studied in law, finance, and business ethics modules as part of contract law and risk management.
Everyday
Very rare; most people encounter it only when signing major contracts like mortgages, life insurance, or employment agreements.
Technical
Precisely drafted legal text defining 'total disability', 'partial disability', elimination periods, and benefit schedules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disability clause”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disability clause”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disability clause”
- Using it as a standalone term without context (e.g., 'He has a disability clause.' – incorrect; should be 'His contract has a disability clause.').
- Confusing it with a 'morality clause' or 'force majeure clause'.
- Misspelling as 'disability claws'.
- Using it in a non-contractual context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common in insurance, it can also be a key part of employment contracts, partnership agreements, and loan contracts.
To financially protect an individual or business by defining the conditions and payments if a person becomes disabled and cannot earn an income.
Anyone signing a significant financial or employment contract, especially self-employed professionals, business partners, and high-income employees.
Disability insurance is the entire insurance product. The disability clause is the specific section within that insurance policy (or other contract) that outlines the terms.
A provision in a contract (especially insurance) that defines the conditions and benefits payable if a person becomes disabled and unable to work.
Disability clause is usually formal, technical, legal, business, financial in register.
Disability clause: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ə.ti ˌklɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i ˌklɑːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CLAUSE as a specific rule in a contract. A DISABILITY CLAUSE is the rule for what happens if you can't work.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SAFETY NET written into a contract.
Practice
Quiz
In which document are you MOST LIKELY to find a 'disability clause'?