clank

[ klangk ]

/ klæŋk /

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noun

a sharp, hard, nonresonant sound, like that produced by two pieces of metal striking, one against the other: the clank of chains; the clank of an iron gate slamming shut.

verb (used without object)

to make such a sound.

to move with such sounds: The old jalopy clanked up the hill.

verb (used with object)

to cause to make a sharp sound, as metal in collision: He clanked the shovel against the pail.

to place, put, set, etc., with a clank: to clank the cell door shut.

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Origin of clank

First recorded in 1605–15, clank is from the Dutch word klank sound

OTHER WORDS FROM clank

clank·ing·ly, adverbclank·ing·ness, nounclankless, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use clank in a sentence

He also has a propensity to use clanking words when he could have used simpler ones.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The decrepit BMD came to a stop with a gear-clanking jolt by the water, and within seconds the soldiers broke out the vodka.
Shakeup In the Ukraine Rebel High Command|Jamie Dettmer|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The clanking of the keys grows fainter and fainter; the sound of footsteps dies away.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Heavy footsteps approach nearer; the clanking of the keys grows more distinct.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman

In the meanwhile, a mountain locomotive and a train of flat cars came clanking into the station where Weston waited.
The Gold Trail|Harold Bindloss
For days and weeks and months they marched along, their chains clanking and their shoulders bending beneath the heavy weight.
In Africa|John T. McCutcheon
It resounds with all the doubly loud noises of a half-empty place—with hammering and tacking, clanking buckets, the "Whoas!"
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions

British Dictionary definitions for clank

clank

/ (klæŋk) /

noun

an abrupt harsh metallic sound

verb

to make or cause to make such a sound

(intr) to move or operate making such a sound

Derived forms of clank

clankingly, adverb

Word Origin for clank

C17: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

clank

Origin of clank

OTHER WORDS FROM clank

Words related to clank

How to use clank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for clank

Derived forms of clank

Word Origin for clank