clattered; clattering; clatters
1
: to make a rattling sound
the dishes clattered on the shelf
2
: to talk noisily or rapidly
3
: to move or go with a clatter
clattered down the stairs
: to cause to clatter
1
: a rattling sound (as of hard bodies striking together)
the clatter of pots and pans
2
: commotion
the midday clatter of the business district
3
: noisy chatter
Examples of clatter in a Sentence
Verb
The shutters clattered against the house.
He heard dishes clattering in the kitchen.
The box dropped and dozens of marbles clattered across the floor.
The wagon clattered down the road.
Noun
the clatter of a crowded cafeteria
Recent Examples on the Web
Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
Ainsley, meanwhile, sticks her foot out and trips the other investigator, sending the inspectors both clattering to the ground.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025
And the dining room, with its dim lighting and lack of music, offered little distraction from the clatter of silverware.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clatter
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Verb
The individual pieces can be heard clattering against each step while Chip looks on proudly.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
Ainsley, meanwhile, sticks her foot out and trips the other investigator, sending the inspectors both clattering to the ground.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Noun
The hot sizzle of the wok, the clatter of pans, add a righteous soundtrack to the meal.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 6 Dec. 2025
And the dining room, with its dim lighting and lack of music, offered little distraction from the clatter of silverware.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clatter
Cite this Entry
“Clatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clatter. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clatter
1 of 2 verb
clat·ter
ˈklat-ər 
1
: to make or cause to make a rattling sound
2
: to move with a clatter
clatter
2 of 2 noun1
: a rattling sound (as of hard objects striking together)
the clatter of pots and pans
3
: noisy chatter
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