dong
1 Americannoun
noun
noun
noun
-
the deep reverberating sound of a large bell
-
informal a heavy blow
-
a slang word for penis
verb
-
(intr) (of a bell) to make a deep reverberating sound
-
informal (tr) to strike or punch
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of dong1
First recorded in 1880–90; imitative; see ding-dong
Origin of dong2
First recorded in 1820–25; from Vietnamese đồng “copper”
Origin of dong3
First recorded in 1890–95; origin uncertain
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.
That is a huge ask for anyone, even people who have been dong this 20 or 30 years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
"I have suddenly become very rich. I am a billionaire now," said the retired shop owner, counting in Vietnamese dong.
From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026
The cosmetics brand famous for its doorstep slogan "Ding dong, Avon calling!" is about to open physical stores in the UK for the first time.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2023
She was also made to pay a cash fine of 100 million dong, her lawyer said, adding that she has 15 days to make a decision to appeal the verdict.
From Reuters ● Sep. 28, 2023
The lucky numbers were on one side, just like they always are, and the learn Chinese message told me that in Chinese, winter is dong tian.
From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin
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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.