clang
Americanverb (used without object)
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clangs,
present (3rd person singular)
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clanged,
past participle, past
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clanging
present participle
verb (used with object)
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clangs,
present (3rd person singular)
-
clanged,
past participle, past
-
clanging
present participle
noun
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clangs
plural
verb
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to make or cause to make a loud resounding noise, as metal when struck
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(intr) to move or operate making such a sound
noun
-
a resounding metallic noise
-
the harsh cry of certain birds
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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clangsimple
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clangssimple
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have clangedperfect
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has clangedperfect
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am clangingprogressive
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are clangingprogressive
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is clangingprogressive
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have been clangingperfect progressive
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has been clangingperfect progressive
Past
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clangedsimple
-
had clangedperfect
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was clangingprogressive
-
were clangingprogressive
-
had been clangingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of clang
First recorded in 1570–80, clang is from the Latin word clangere to resound, clang
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a clip posted on Instagram, the German relay team are jumping up and down in celebration when suddenly Strelow's bronze medal comes loose and a metallic clang echoes through the room.
From Barron's ● Feb. 9, 2026
Bee Wilson’s own painful memories were triggered by the clang of a heart-shaped baking tin falling to the floor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
A similar incident occurred in January in Germany when a passenger - this time a fare-dodger - clang to the outside of a German high-speed train.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2025
The first American pope has been a font of endless, odd connections to the New World that clang against the public perception of the ancient Catholic Church.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2025
He was glad to hear the gate clang to behind them, as they rode forward.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Its closing track, a harmonically suspended instrumental titled “The Brazilian,” flirted with the avant-garde by repeating the same anti-melody, anchored on a jungle of percussive clangs and hyperkinetic Simmons drum rolls.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026
Back at the centrifuge, it slows to a stop and the door clangs open.
From BBC ● May 8, 2024
Smith complements the suffocating visuals with an elaborate sound design involving an anxiety-inducing assortment of squeaks, gurgles, moans, whispers, whimpers and clangs that make “Tin Can” well worth watching with headphones.
From New York Times ● Sep. 2, 2022
The clangs of the passing trolleys and beeps of the pedestrian walk signals echoed in the downtown area’s near-empty streets.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 20, 2020
It slips and clangs to the floor, then spins like a clock hand.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
Pots clanged and oil sizzled inside the London kitchen of Syrian chef Imad Alarnab, as the former refugee who fled his country's civil war recalled hosting King Charles III.
From Barron's ● Mar. 2, 2026
When the ball clanged off the bright yellow pole, Judge raised his right hand toward the sky and tossed his bat to the ground, as bedlam erupted all around him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
The ball clanged off the front rim, appearing short — until backspin carried it to the back iron for a second bounce.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2025
Loyd’s chance with 2 seconds left clanged wide and the teams regrouped before overtime.
From Seattle Times ● May 17, 2024
And then Viola’s bell clanged in the distance.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
The rhythmic clanging of hammers on bronze echoes through the Istanbul workshop where three craftsmen are landing blows with astonishing precision to transform featureless metal discs into highly prized handcrafted cymbals.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Yet, Fire Island as a concept produces nothing more than a toy monkey clanging its cymbals in my brain.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026
But classic feels too fusty and self-conscious, even though “Hokum” has all the tropes: looming figures, clanging bells, ominous dumbwaiters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
“My Soul / Half Pint,” which features Dry Cleaning fan Jeff Tweedy of Wilco on clanging guitar, is about a woman who meticulously arranges her house but finds cleaning “demeaning.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 6, 2026
I ran up the stairs and inside, thankful that the clanging drowned out their laughter.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
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