clank

play

verb \ ˈklaŋk \

Definition of clank

intransitive verb

1 :to make a clank or series of clanks

the radiator hissed and clanked

2 :to go with or as if with a clank

tanks clanking through the streets

transitive verb

:to cause to clank

—

clankingly

play \ˈklaŋ-kiŋ-lē\ adverb

See clank defined for English-language learners

See clank defined for kids

Examples of clank in a Sentence

The radiator hissed and clanked.
The empty can clanked along the sidewalk.
a ghost clanking its chains

Recent Examples of clank from the Web

The Jaguars took the lead on Dallas Davis' 4-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Everett, then watched as Mississippi State's Westin Graves clanked a field goal attempt off the uprights as time expired.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "South Alabama looking to repeat upset formula in season-opener at Ole Miss," 29 Aug. 2017
Florida State 198 198 1.000 Tampa Bay 39 43 .907 Aguayo clanked an extra point off the right upright Friday night in Cincinnati and was cut by the Bucs on Saturday.

— peter king, SI.com, "Monday Morning QB: Bucs GM Jason Licht ‘Owning Up’ to Roberto Aguayo Mistake," 14 Aug. 2017
Kicker Caleb Stugis clanked a 46-yard field goal attempt off the right upright before the half.

— jeff mclane, Philly.com, "What we learned in Eagles-Packers | Jeff McLane," 11 Aug. 2017
However, the ball clanked off Moore’s hands and was reminiscent of the wide receiver’s drop last year against the Cleveland Browns on what should have been a walk-in touchdown.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens camp highlights (Aug.3): Ryan Mallett has his best day as offense gains some traction," 3 Aug. 2017
Al Horford, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk kept clanking open jumpers.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "Cavaliers finally have legit Eastern Conference challenger after Gordon Hayward joins Celtics," 5 July 2017
Floaters weren’t dropping, long balls were clanking — there was even a missed layup.

— matt calkins, The Seattle Times, "Not even a return to Seattle solves Plum’s early-season woes," 18 June 2017
Thompson tried to shoot his way out of his slump in Game 1, but his frustration only seemed to increase as usually automatic attempts bounced, rattled or clanked out.

— adam lauridsen, The Mercury News, "Warriors-Cavaliers Power Rankings: Durant, Curry en fuego; Tristan Thompson, you there?," 2 June 2017
Chains and trucks and big digger-like gadgets creak and groan, clanking bells tolling for the dead.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "How the Androids Took Over the Alien Franchise," 23 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clank.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clank

probably imitative

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1656

See Words from the same year

clank

noun

Definition of clank

:a sharp brief metallic ringing sound

Examples of clank in a Sentence

the car is making a funny clank, and this can't be good

Recent Examples of clank from the Web

Our ears registered louder thwacks compared with the competitors over the same cracks and expansion joints on-road—similar to the almost metallic clank of a bouncing basketball.

— eric tingwall, Car and Driver, "Gumshoes: Five Sticky Summer Performance Tires Tested," 26 July 2017
Minutes later, the honor also brought an awkward and humorous moment, falling off the ribbon around the Dalai Lama’s neck and landing on the podium with a loud clank.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dalai Lama gives UCSD students hope, challenges in commencement talk," 17 June 2017
The rest, despite brief eruptions, proceeded at more or less the same intensity, as if created by the clank, whir and thud of machines in a factory.

— alan g. artner, chicagotribune.com, "Dal Niente's 'Party 2017' pushes music off-focus," 4 June 2017
GUANGZHOU, China — For nearly seven years, Li Wei rose before dawn seven days a week for his 10-hour shift at the steel plant, returning home each night soaked in sweat, the clank of heavy machinery still ringing in his ears.

— javier c. hernÁndez, New York Times, "Labor Protests Multiply in China as Economy Slows, Worrying Leaders," 14 Mar. 2016

First Known Use of clank

1656

clank Synonyms

Synonyms

clangor, clang, clash, whang

Related Words

chime, ding-dong, knell, peal, ping, plink, ring, tintinnabulation; chink, clink, clinkety-clank, jangle, jingle, rattle, tang, tinkle, twang; clap, clip-clop, clop, crack, crash, crunch; clump, clunk, thump

CLANK Defined for English Language Learners

clank

play

verb

Definition of clank for English Language Learners

: to make or cause (something) to make the loud, sharp sound of metal hitting against something solid

CLANK Defined for Kids

clank

play

verb \ ˈklaŋk \

Definition of clank for Students

clanked; clanking

1 :to make or cause to make a clank or series of clanks

The radiator hissed and clanked.

2 :to move with a clank

The old pickup clanked down the road.

clank

noun

Definition of clank for Students

:a sharp short ringing sound

the clank of chains

Learn More about clank

See words that rhyme with clank Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clank Spanish Central: Translation of clank Nglish: Translation of clank for Spanish speakers

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clank

Definition of clank

clankingly

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Examples of clank in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clank from the Web

Origin and Etymology of clank

clank

Definition of clank

Examples of clank in a Sentence

Recent Examples of clank from the Web

First Known Use of clank

clank Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

CLANK Defined for English Language Learners

clank

Definition of clank for English Language Learners

CLANK Defined for Kids

clank

Definition of clank for Students

clank

Definition of clank for Students

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