clanging

US: (klang′ing)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

clang•ing  (klang′ing), n. 

1. Psychiatry a pattern of speech observed in some types of mental illness, as manic disorder, in which associations are based on punning or rhyming.

• German Klang sound, taken as clang + -ing¹
• clang- probably

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

clang /klæŋ/   v. 

1. to give out a loud, ringing sound, such as that of a large bell: [no object]
   The fire bells clanged in the distance.
   [~ + object]
   They clanged the bells on the firetruck.
2. to move with such sounds:
   [no object] The trolley clanged down the street.

n. [countable]

3. a clanging sound:
   A loud clang and the prizefight began.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

clang  (klang), v.i. 

1. to give out a loud, resonant sound, as that produced by a large bell or two heavy pieces of metal striking together:
   The bells clanged from the steeples.
2. to move with such sounds:
   The old truck clanged down the street.

v.t. 

3. to cause to resound or ring loudly.

n. 

4. a clanging sound.

• Latin clangere to resound, clang
• 1570–80

Synonyms

• 1. clash, din, clank, jangle.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

clang / klæŋ/ verb

1. to make or cause to make a loud resounding noise, as metal when struck
2. (intransitive) to move or operate making such a sound

noun

1. a resounding metallic noise
2. the harsh cry of certain birds

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin clangere