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
Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The annual phenomenon sees millions of crimson-red crustaceans clattering across roads from their forest dwellings to the island's shores to spawn their eggs.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
In an era where fingertips skim glass screens and keyboards clatter in relentless rhythm, the act of putting pen to paper feels almost radical.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clatter
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Verb
Deacon clatters off in his truck, leaving me to contemplate my new home.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
The annual phenomenon sees millions of crimson-red crustaceans clattering across roads from their forest dwellings to the island's shores to spawn their eggs.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
With no wheels touching the rails, the usual clatter and vibration of trains disappear.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
In an era where fingertips skim glass screens and keyboards clatter in relentless rhythm, the act of putting pen to paper feels almost radical.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 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 30 Oct. 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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