clapper

UK: /ˈklæpə/ US: /ˈklæpɚ/ ,(klap′ər)

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

clap•per /ˈklæpɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a person who applauds.
2. the tongue of a bell.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

clap•per  (klap′ər), n. 

1. a person who applauds.
2. the tongue of a bell.
3. Slang Terms the tongue.
4. Usually, clappers. two flat sticks held between the fingers and struck rhythmically against each other to produce abrupt, sharp sounds.
5. Printing a platen press.

• Middle English claper. See clap¹, -er¹ 1250–1300

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

clapper / ˈklæpə/ noun

1. a person or thing that claps
2. Also called: tongue a small piece of metal suspended within a bell that causes it to sound when made to strike against its side
3. a slang word for tongue1
4. go like the clappers, run like the clappers, move like the clappers ⇒ to move extremely fast