clappers

IPA/klˈapəz/
IPA/klˈæpɚz/

clappers — noun

1. the moving metal parts inside bells that strike the inner wall so the bells ring

1.nounC2
Definition

the moving metal parts inside bells that strike the inner wall so the bells ring

Example

The church replaced the clappers after the old bells sounded weak.

repair context: replace the clappers

Dust covered the clappers when Amelia opened the bell tower room.

Common collocations
  • bell clappers
  • replace the clappers
  • clean the clappers
Synonyms
  • bell tongues

    A descriptive alternative that some writers use, but it is less common in everyday English than clappers.

  • strikers

    A broader technical term for parts that hit something to make sound; it is not limited to bells.

Grammar Patterns

the clappers of a bell

replace the clappers

clean the clappers

Usage Note

Usually mentioned when describing how a bell is built, repaired, or cleaned. The singular form clapper is more common when referring to one bell.

Common Mistakes

The audience were loud clappers all night.
The audience clapped loudly all night.
In this entry, clappers means the metal parts inside bells, not people who applaud.
The clappers of the bell was broken.
The clappers of the bell were broken.
Clappers is plural here, so it takes a plural verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Clapper is the standard word for the metal part inside a bell that swings and makes the sound, so clappers is simply its plural form. Bell tongue is a descriptive alternative because the part hangs down like a tongue, but it sounds less common and a little more old-fashioned. Striker is broader: it can refer to any part that hits something to create sound, including parts outside a bell. Hammer is different again, because it often means a separate tool or mechanism that strikes from the outside. In a repair note, you would normally read replace the clappers, not replace the hammers.

clapper ↗bell tonguestriker ↗hammer ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • bell clappers
  • metal clappers

Phrases

  • replace the clappers
  • clean the clappers

Prepositions

  • clappers inside a bell

Etymology

English

Clappers is the plural of clapper, an English word formed from clap with the -er ending for a thing that does an action. The name points to the part that strikes the inside of a bell to make its sound.