- an abrupt harsh metallic sound
- to make or cause to make such a sound
- (intransitive) to move or operate making such a sound
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
clank /klæŋk/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a sharp, short, hard sound, like that produced by two pieces of metal striking: the clank of chains.
v.
- to (cause to) make such a sound: [no object]The prisoner's chains clanked as he walked.[~ + object]He clanked the chains.
- to move with such sounds:[no object]The huge tank clanked down the streets.
clank
(klangk),USA pronunciation n.
v.i.
v.t.
clank′ing•ly, adv.
clank′ing•ness, n.
clank′less, adj.
- a sharp, hard, nonresonant sound, like that produced by two pieces of metal striking, one against the other:the clank of chains; the clank of an iron gate slamming shut.
v.i.
- to make such a sound.
- to move with such sounds:The old jalopy clanked up the hill.
v.t.
- to cause to make a sharp sound, as metal in collision:He clanked the shovel against the pail.
- to place, put, set, etc., with a clank:to clank the cell door shut.
- Dutch klank sound
- 1605–15
clank′ing•ness, n.
clank′less, adj.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
clank /klæŋk/ n
'clank' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):