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.

---

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.

---

clink ¹ British  

/ klɪŋk /

verb

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

---

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

---

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

As it moves, the truck is quiet, aside from the clinking of pans and cutlery.

From Literature

I take it and gulp at it greedily, the ice clinking against my teeth.

From Literature

If Quentin Tarantino pastiche were a crime, these films would be hauled off to the clink.

From Salon

And that necklace clinked, which was the last thing you needed.

From Literature

Anna May swirled her glass, the ice clinking.

From Literature