Clank

Clank is a dull, metallic sound produced when metal surfaces strike or rub against one another, or when heavy machinery components move. It is often described as a resonant rattle or thud with a tang of iron. The term is onomatopoeic, echoing the perceived sound and used in spoken language and writing to convey impact.

The word clank has appeared in English for centuries and is used to characterize noises in mechanical settings, armor, tools, and infrastructure. In engineering, a clank may indicate looseness, misalignment, or excessive wear, whereas a sharp clang may signal a stronger, more abrupt impact. The distinction between clank and clang is subtle and context-dependent, with clank often implying a heavier, more irregular noise.

In popular culture, "Clank" names a robot companion in the Ratchet & Clank video game series, where the character is a small silver robot with a polite demeanor. There is also a board game titled Clank! centered on dungeon exploration and loot, and the word frequently appears in comics, film sound design, and music as an onomatopoeic cue for metallic contact.