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

I could hear laughter in the background, the clink of glasses.

From Los Angeles Times

The sound of clinking glassware echoed faintly from behind the thick mahogany door, and I raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

From Literature

At the end of the week, the recycling truck picked them up and they clinked and clanked so loudly that the whole neighborhood could hear it.

From Literature

They clink together as you reach past them — past the chili crisp you swore you’d use more often, the artisanal vinaigrette with a sell-by date approaching — to retrieve the same jar you always do.

From Salon

Inside, silverware clinks, trays slam down, and voices hum.

From Literature