clink

¹ American  

[klingk] / klɪŋk /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or cause to make a light, sharp, ringing sound.

   The coins clinked together. He clinked the fork against a glass.

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noun

1. a clinking sound.

2. Metallurgy. a small crack in a steel ingot resulting from uneven expanding or contracting.

3. a pointed steel bar for breaking up road surfaces.

4. Archaic. a rhyme; jingle.

clink ² American  

[klingk] / klɪŋk /

noun

Slang.

1. a prison; jail; lockup.

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clink ¹ British  

/ klɪŋk /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a light and sharply ringing sound

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noun

1. a light and sharply ringing sound

2. a pointed steel tool used for breaking up the surface of a road before it is repaired

clink ² British  

/ klɪŋk /

noun

1. a slang word for prison

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Etymology

Origin of clink¹

1275–1325; Middle English clinken, perhaps < Middle Dutch clinken to sound, ring, resound

Origin of clink²

1505–15; after Clink, name of prison in Southwark, London, perhaps < Dutch klink door-latch

Example Sentences

Then there was the sound of chanson music and accordions and lots of clinking wineglasses as they celebrated.

From Literature

So I make sure she hears my coins clink into the money tin on her shelf.

From Literature

Even before the night’s performances began, attendees were clinking glasses and giving lingering hugs — the kind befitting the last day of summer camp.

From Los Angeles Times

Miss Mortimer’s spoon slipped from her fingers and landed on the saucer with a clink.

From Literature

“Awfully interesting, more like it. What an inspiring collection of rogues I met in the clink! I’ve got enough material for twenty plays now.”

From Literature