clang

1 of 2

verb

ˈklaŋ 

clanged; clanging; clangs

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a loud metallic ringing sound

anvils clanged

b

: to go with a clang

2

: to utter the characteristic harsh cry of a bird

transitive verb

: to cause to clang

clang a bell

clang

2 of 2

noun

1

: a loud ringing metallic sound

the clang of a fire alarm

2

: a harsh cry of a bird (such as a crane or goose)

Synonyms

Noun

• clangor
• clank
• clash
• whang

Examples of clang in a Sentence

Verb

His fork clanged against the plate.

The prison door clanged shut.

The guard clanged the door shut.

Noun

the horseshoe hit the stake with a satisfying clang

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The inning also got away from Suarez because of a ball that clanged off a glove and two balls that went in and out of gloves. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025

His 25-foot, step-back clanged out with 9.1 seconds to play. —Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 7 May 2025

Noun

Squeezing into the narrow confines, the clang of the metal doors closing and the nearness of their neighbors can be unsettling, if not downright dangerous. —Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 3 May 2025

In a sunlit workshop nestled in the rolling hills of Southern California, a unique artistry unfolds daily, marked by the rhythmic clang of hammer against steel. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin clangere; akin to Greek klazein to scream, bark, Old English hliehhan to laugh

First Known Use

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clang

• bang
• chuang
• dang
• drang
• fang
• gang
• gangue
• hang
• hange
• kang
• kiang
• langue

Kids Definition

clang

1 of 2 verb

ˈklaŋ 

: to make or cause to make a loud ringing sound

clang

2 of 2 noun

: a loud ringing sound like that made by pieces of metal striking together