bong

¹ American  

[bong, bawng] / bɒŋ, bɔŋ /

noun

1. a dull, resonant sound, as of a large bell.

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verb (used without object)

1. to produce this sound.

   The church bell bonged promptly at noon.

bong ² American  

[bong, bawng] / bɒŋ, bɔŋ /

noun

1. a water pipe for smoking marijuana or other drugs. Similar in function to a hookah, a bong has a heated bowl, water reservoir, and a tube with a mouthpiece.

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bong ¹ British  

/ bɒŋ /

noun

1. a deep reverberating sound, as of a large bell

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verb

1. to make a deep reverberating sound

bong ² British  

/ bɒŋ /

noun

1. a type of water pipe for smoking marijuana, crack, etc

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Etymology

Origin of bong¹

First recorded in 1855–60; imitative

Origin of bong²

First recorded in 1970–75; from Thai bong, baung “bamboo tube”

Example Sentences

Big Ben had been chiming since 1859, but this was the first time that its distinctive "bong" was heard outside of its immediate vicinity in Westminster.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2023

A dab of a side order of jaew bong, suggested by a server, ignited my very being.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2023

Friday, the Keeper of the Great Clock and his team of horologists tested the bells, and crowds gathered nearby at Whitehall to honor Armistice Day heard the old boy bong again.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2022

Now, that tone has been replaced with a softer bong, which I find way less attention-grabbing.

From The Verge • Aug. 24, 2022

Eventually, the heavy hands of the courtroom clock tick round to midday, and a solemn bong is heard.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith