---
title: "Clayton Act — Definition & Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Clayton Act is a U.S. law from 1914 that strengthens antitrust regulations by addressing anti-competitive practices not covered by the Sherman Act."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/clayton-act"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 is a United States federal statute that strengthened antitrust law by prohibiting specific anti-competitive practices not clearly reached by the earlier Sherman Act.
- How does the Clayton Act differ from the Sherman Act?
- Why was the Clayton Act called labour's 'Magna Carta'?
- Which provision governs merger control today?
- What was enacted alongside the Clayton Act?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 is a United States federal statute that strengthened antitrust law by prohibiting specific anti-competitive practices not clearly reached by the earlier Sherman Act.

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In 2017 the U.S. Department of Justice invoked Section 7 of the Clayton Act to sue blocking AT\&T's proposed merger with Time Warner, arguing the combination would substantially lessen competition in the pay-television market.

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