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

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
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
The Celtics appeared to avoid history when Love clanked his jumper, but NOPE!

— adi joseph, USA TODAY, "Cavs cap record first half on J.R. Smith's wild buzzer-beater", 19 May 2017
Watch the Spoon Man perform music and routines with a set of clanking spoons and lots of talent. *

— ann norman, cleveland.com, "Medina County District Library hoping for another record-breaking year of summer reading fun", 18 May 2017
And Thomas’ heave at the buzzer clanked off the rim.

— howard fendrich, The Denver Post, "John Wall’s late 3 leads Wizards past Celtics to force Game 7", 12 May 2017
Colbert proceeded to shoot a deeply nervous look at the camera, slowly handing the book off as house bandleader, Jon Batiste, clanked ominously on the piano.

— laura bradley, VanityFair.com, "Colbert Thinks He Knows What O’Reilly Will Do Next—and He’s Scared", 21 Apr. 2017
Their shovels also clanked against remnants of a buried German rail line and spiked leather helmets, reminders that not just Allied forces fell here.

— jeff stein, Newsweek, "Flanders Fields Bears Silent Witness to a 'Sepulchre of Crime'", 19 Mar. 2017
The Lakers opened the game either bobbling the ball or clanking shots off the rim on nearly every possession.

— Orange County Register, "Listless Lakers stagger into All-Star break with 137-101 loss to Suns", 15 Feb. 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!

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

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

First Known Use of clank

1656

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.