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
Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Each step sends shards of stone clattering downhill, debris once sealed beneath glacial ice.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Only Spagnuolo's voice can be heard over the low clatter of cutlery and coffee cups, suggesting the conversation was captured in a cafe or some other public place.
—Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clatter
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Verb
Marseille’s supporters could be forgiven a sense of deja vu after seeing their club once again respond to the starting gun by clattering into the season’s first hurdle.
—Tom Williams, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Each step sends shards of stone clattering downhill, debris once sealed beneath glacial ice.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Only Spagnuolo's voice can be heard over the low clatter of cutlery and coffee cups, suggesting the conversation was captured in a cafe or some other public place.
—Arkansas Online, 24 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 5 Sep. 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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