ding

¹ American  

[ding] / dɪŋ /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a ringing sound.

2. to speak about insistently.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a ringing sound.

2. to talk insistently.

noun

1. a ringing sound.

ding ² American  

[ding] / dɪŋ /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause surface damage to; dent.

   Flying gravel had dinged the car's fenders.

2. to strike with force; hit.

   The catcher was dinged on the shoulder by a wild throw.

3. to blackball.

   Only one freshman was dinged by the fraternity.

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noun

1. dent; nick.

   The surfboard has a few dings in it from scraping over rocks.

ding ¹ British  

/ dɪŋ /

verb

1. to ring or cause to ring, esp with tedious repetition

2. (tr) another word for din 1

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noun

1. an imitation or representation of the sound of a bell

2. informal a party or social event

ding ² British  

/ dɪŋ /

verb

1. to strike; dash down

2. to surpass

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Etymology

Origin of ding¹

First recorded in 1575–85; ding-dong

Origin of ding²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb dingen, dengen, dengen “to beat, scourge,” probably from Old English gedingan “to throw oneself with force”; akin to Old English dencgan “to knock, ding,” Old Norse dengja “to beat, hammer”

Example Sentences

The other risk—one that has already caused the market to ding CoreWeave stock —concerns financing.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

As retail fuel prices surge at gas stations across the country, analysts warn that higher-for-longer energy costs could ding U.S. economic growth and buoy inflation, ushering in a dynamic known as stagflation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

It may be hard not to feel like a lower credit limit or a temporary ding to your score is a reflection on you, but it’s really not.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

The only ding on the film is that Ross is still learning to work with actors.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2024

Faith gracefully lifted her arm and gave the bell another solid ding.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx