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
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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
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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
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had clangedperfect
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was clangingprogressive
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were clangingprogressive
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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
The young trio’s minimalist arrangements evoke the clang of downtown post-punk New York, while the new collection’s sly humor and deep well of hooks helped the dissonant turns go down easily.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 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
The truck, which serves Mexican food, was parked across from a two-story home under construction, where the clang of hammers and thwack of nail guns sent echoes through the canyon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2024
Far below, the deathless fires put out their glow and smoke on the darkling air, and even at this great height the clang of hammers could be heard in the snapping wind.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
No. But it was full of humanity, scenery and comforting clangs and rumbles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
MPs may find the clangs irritating but they should be grateful they weren't working in the Canadian Parliament in the 1980s.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2024
The two dancers, accompanied by metronomic clicks and clangs, oscillated like parts of a machine built to do a pendular, hip-wagging dance like the floss.
From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 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
One of the radiators clangs and steams all day despite various attempts to shut it down.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
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
USC clung to a one-point lead as freshman Alijah Arenas stepped back for a jumper that clanged away.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 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
McManus’ first of two errant field goals was a 50-yarder that clanged off the right upright in the first quarter.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 17, 2023
They started off down the hallway when something clanged behind them, followed by squeals and grinding gears.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
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
Ollie Chessum, brought in for his heft, delivered in spades, scoring two tries, laying on a deft pass for Alex Coles' score and clanging about in close combat.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026
In each room, peoples are painting or cleaning or ham- mering, and there is much clanging and banging and whooping.
From "The Unfinished Angel" by Sharon Creech
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
