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
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025
But Hart, somehow, made up the ground, punching the ball just wide of the post at full-stretch before clattering into the net.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
The murmur of Spanish weaves through the clatter of plates and family get-togethers.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clatter
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Verb
Fate seemed to provide the USMNT with a leveler in the 31st minute, as Juan Pablo Vargas clattered Malik Tillman to the ground by taking out his left leg.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 30 June 2025
But Hart, somehow, made up the ground, punching the ball just wide of the post at full-stretch before clattering into the net.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Noun
Changes in noise cancellation levels are now smoother than before as the system filters out any sudden sonic spikes, stopping the music from being drowned out by the clatter of a passing express train or a police car siren.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
The murmur of Spanish weaves through the clatter of plates and family get-togethers.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 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 19 Aug. 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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