clang

1 of 2

verb

ˈklaŋ 

clanged; clanging; clangs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a loud metallic ringing sound

anvils clanged

b

: to go with a clang

2

: to utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird

transitive verb

: to cause to clang

clang a bell

clang

2 of 2

noun

1

: a loud ringing metallic sound

the clang of a fire alarm

2

: a harsh cry of a bird (such as a crane or goose)

Synonyms

Noun

• clank
• clash
• rattle
• clangor
• ring
• thump
• clink
• whang

Examples of clang in a Sentence

Verb

His fork clanged against the plate.

The prison door clanged shut.

The guard clanged the door shut.

Noun

the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Blue Jackets could not solve Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson until midway through the third period, watching several prime scoring chances get erased by Thompson’s glove and others clang off the posts from close range. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

The hardware store in New Orleans clanged with the sound of metal on metal, the cement floor cool beneath Greg Cope White's shoes. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 9 Oct. 2025

Noun

The clang of a political gong is deafening. —Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs. —Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin clangere; akin to Greek klazein to scream, bark, Old English hliehhan to laugh

First Known Use

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clang

• bang
• chuang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• kiang
• langue

Kids Definition

clang

1 of 2 verb

ˈklaŋ 

: to make or cause to make a loud ringing sound

clang

2 of 2 noun

: a loud ringing sound like that made by pieces of metal striking together