dong

[ dawng, dong ]

/ dɔŋ, dɒŋ /

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noun

a deep sound like that of a large bell.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of dong

First recorded in 1880–90; imitative; see ding-dong

Words nearby dong

doner kebab, done to a T, Donets, Donets Basin, Donetsk, dong, donga, Dongen, Don Giovanni, dongle, Dongola

Other definitions for dong (2 of 3)

dong²

[ dawng, dong ]

/ dɔŋ, dɒŋ /

noun, plural dong.

the basic monetary unit of Vietnam: replaced the southern piaster and the northern dong in 1978.

Origin of dong

First recorded in 1820–25; from Vietnamese đồng “copper”

Other definitions for dong (3 of 3)

dong³

[ dawng, dong ]

/ dɔŋ, dɒŋ /

noun Slang: Vulgar.

penis.

Origin of dong

First recorded in 1890–95; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dong in a sentence

Join us as we explore whether the office is ding-dong dead, a nursing home boom is inevitable or whether Zillow is about to take over the world.
Real Estate Trends in Surprising Areas|Tracy Moran|May 6, 2021|Ozy
Dong Whi Yoo didn’t know anybody working at Gold Spa or Aromatherapy Spa either, but he’s also come to pay his respects.
For Asians Living in the Shadow of the Atlanta Killings, Anger and 'Just This Constant Fear'|Janell Ross/Atlanta|March 19, 2021|Time
As Dong reports, China had a lukewarm reaction to Disney’s animated Mulan.
The history of Mulan, from a 6th-century ballad to the live-action Disney movie|Constance Grady|September 4, 2020|Vox
Dong describes the legend of Mulan as a palimpsest, a story that keeps shifting and reforming over time but always bears the traces of its original forms.
The history of Mulan, from a 6th-century ballad to the live-action Disney movie|Constance Grady|September 4, 2020|Vox

After 41 years, Los Angeles Koreatown mainstay Dong Il Jang closed its doors, too.
Is the Government Just Going to Watch the Restaurant Industry Die?|Elazar Sontag|August 28, 2020|Eater
On the southern side of the JSA, there is a village called Daeseong-dong (대성동).
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On the northern side of the Joint Security Area between North and South Korea, there is a village called Kijong-dong (기정동).
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Director Yoo Dong-hun and screenwriter Lee Jung-u were arrested for firebombing theaters.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I called it “ding-dong diplomacy”; Governor Richardson wisely pointed out that “basketball diplomacy” is better than none.
Pyongyang Primer: Kenneth Bae Comes Home|Kevin Bleyer|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Official Charts Company described Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead as "one of the most controversial chart contenders of all time".
Dawn Dress Rehearsal for Thatcher Funeral as Controversy Rages On|Tom Sykes|April 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
No tedious ding-dong daily practice—just 20 brief, entertaining lessons, easily mastered.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930|Various
Think of that: cradled innocence and angels' dreams and the whole of the hymn just before ding-dong-bang on noses and jaws!
The Amazing Marriage, Complete|George Meredith
Other deep toned bells joined in; they were tolling in solemn concert—ding, dong!
Hans Brinker|Mary Mapes Dodge
His voice seemed unusually loud and a trifle off key like the dong of a cracked bell.
Mystery Wings|Roy J. Snell
In the old days, under Dong Ling's rule, there had been no gas stove.
Miss Billy Married|Eleanor H. Porter

British Dictionary definitions for dong (1 of 2)

dong

/ (dɒŋ) /

noun

the deep reverberating sound of a large bell

Australian and NZ informal a heavy blow

a slang word for penis

verb

(intr) (of a bell) to make a deep reverberating sound

(tr) Australian and NZ informal to strike or punch

Word Origin for dong

C16: of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for dong (2 of 2)

dông

/ (dɒŋ) /

noun

the standard monetary unit of Vietnam, divided into 10 hào or 100 xu

Word Origin for dông

from Vietnamese

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dong

Origin of dong

Words nearby dong

Other definitions for dong (2 of 3)

Origin of dong

Other definitions for dong (3 of 3)

Origin of dong

Words related to dong

How to use dong in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dong (1 of 2)

Word Origin for dong

British Dictionary definitions for dong (2 of 2)

Word Origin for dông