clatter
verb (used without object)
to make a loud, rattling sound, as that produced by hard objects striking rapidly one against the other.
were clattering
-
past progressiveof clatter.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Raindrops were clattering over the pontoon’s tin roof.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 15, 2021
By the 17th century, local shipyards were clattering away, constructing vessels for the Dutch East India Company as it plied the spice routes to Southeast Asia.
From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2016
A main city tram line was also open again and trams were clattering through the district.
From Reuters ● Oct. 14, 2014
Next day the two targets were hit again, but even before the pilots suited up a second time, Teletypes were clattering around the world.
From Time Magazine Archive
That was because workers were clattering in to remake the lower floor for a display of American Indian art, and a Buddhist student group was chanting in the small sanctuary upstairs.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
