The song, written by Jesse Shatkin, Ilsey Juber and James Morrison, comes ahead of the full album’s release next Friday, October 27.
Opening with the lyric “Baby, I’ve been living in the dark; the only friend I’ve got here is my broken heart”, the track tells of someone who lit up her life.
“When I’m lost I just look in your eyes, you show me the meaning of life,” she sings.
The song follows lead single Love So Soft and accompanying cut Move You, both of which came out last month.
“Meaning of Life is the song that started this entire project,” Clarkson said, according to Rolling Stone.
“The vibe, soul and message of this song was very critical to show other writers and producers of the new direction we were taking.”
In addition to the studio cut, Clarkson has also released a clip of a live performance, as part of her Nashville Sessions.
Morrison tweeted: “#MeaningOfLife Stoked to hear Kelly clarkson singing a song I wrote a while back #shecansing.”
Clarkson’s new album marks her first material with new record label Atlantic, after she became the first American Idol winner to fulfil her contract with Sony.
She’ll also be a coach on the US version of The Voice in early 2018.
Kelly Clarkson’s Meaning of Life is out on October 27. The title track is out now.