clink

1 of 3

verb

clinked; clinking; clinks

intransitive verb

: to give out a slight sharp short metallic sound

transitive verb

: to cause to clink

clink

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a clinking sound

clink

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
slang : a prison cell
2
slang : jail, prison

Examples of clink in a Sentence

Verb When she'd completed the toast, they clinked glasses. coins clinking in his pocket as he traipsed down the street Noun (2) I once spent a night in the clink, and it's an experience I don't want to repeat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
There are rattling leaves, slithering snakes, and clinking glasses. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2024 With the sound of clinking wine glasses, tastes of inventive veggies, and the voice of an award-winning chef, the Courier Journal's new dinner series kicked off Sunday at a popular Highlands restaurant. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
When given a shake, the piece emits echoing clinks evocative of rushing water. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2024 To me, the tinkling glasses and ringing silverware are easily ignorable, the hodgepodge of clinks and clatters immediately fading into the background. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clink 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, of imitative origin

Noun (2)

probably from Clink, a prison in Southwark, London, England

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clink was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clink

Cite this Entry

“Clink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clink. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clink

verb
ˈkliŋk
: to make or cause to make a slight sharp short sound like that of metal being struck
glasses clinked
clink noun

More from Merriam-Webster on clink

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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