ding-dong
Americannoun
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ding-dongs
plural
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the sound of a bell.
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any similar sound of repeated strokes.
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Slang. ding-a-ling.
adjective
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characterized by or resembling the sound of a bell.
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marked by rapid alternation of retaliatory action.
a ding-dong struggle.
noun
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the sound of a bell or bells, esp two bells tuned a fourth or fifth apart
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an imitation or representation of the sound of a bell
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a violent exchange of blows or words
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( as modifier )
a ding-dong battle in the board room
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adjective
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ding-dong
1550–60; gradational compound based on ding, apparently blend of din 1 and ring 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Inside were cameras and listening devices throughout the house; anyone approaching his locked bedroom would be detected and announced by loud ding-dong sounds before reaching the bedroom door.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
It went to eight deuces before a netted backhand allowed Siniakova to level the set at 3-3 before another ding-dong battle in the next game.
From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 2026
I was delighted it was a proper ding-dong of a race, and you want to win the good ones.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
Everyone singing the "ding-dong" song from "The Wizard of Oz" has a right to enjoy whatever the relative silence her absence yields.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2021
The phones ring, one in every room in the house, ding-dong caroling bells.
From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson
I am puzzled by a series of ding-dongs which follow my use of the internet.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2023
Complete with sleigh bells, ding-dongs and celestial choirs, it is one of three songs the stars wrote after Sir Elton pitched the idea last Christmas.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2021
They are America’s local ding-dongs and loose cannons.
From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2021
“And then we figured out where it was so, and then one of your officers was like, ‘Hey, hey ding-dongs, you’re at the wrong spot.’”
From New York Times ● Jul. 8, 2020
The doorbell ding-dongs, and children squeal outside, and Freckles goes, “God! We spent all that time at Duane Reade and didn’t even think to pick up candy.”
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
