ping

American  

[ping] / pɪŋ /

verb (used without object)

1. to produce a sharp sound like that of a bullet striking a sheet of metal.

---

verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to send an echo-request packet to (an IP address) and use the echo reply to determine whether another computer on the network is operational and the speed at which the data is being transferred.

2. to make contact with (someone) by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message.

   The design team should ping marketing to set up a meeting next week.

   Ping me when you arrive, and I’ll meet you at the door.

noun

1. a pinging sound.

2. an infrasonic or ultrasonic sound wave created by sonar in echolocation.

3. an acoustic signal transmitted to indicate a location.

   Rescue crews were able to follow the ping and locate the flight recorder.

4. Computers. an echo-request and echo-reply protocol that tests a connection online or in a network by sending a packet to a host IP address and measuring the round-trip speed of data transfer.

5. one of the possible sounds made by an electronic or mobile device to signal the receipt of data, as a phone or text message.

ping British  

/ pɪŋ /

noun

1. a short high-pitched resonant sound, as of a bullet striking metal or a sonar echo

2. computing a system for testing whether internet systems are responding and how long in milliseconds it takes them to respond

---

verb

1. (intr) to make such a noise

2. (tr) computing to send a test message to (a computer or server) in order to check whether it is responding or how long it takes it to respond

Other Word Forms

• pinging adjective

Etymology

Origin of ping

First recorded in 1850–55; imitative

Example Sentences

I plug in my phone and it starts pinging with message after message.

From Literature

Upload speeds were generally stable, though ping times increased significantly on distant servers — reaching over 500 ms in Australia — which could introduce noticeable lag during gaming or video calls.

From Salon

But she said she chose not to text them to see if they were safe, as a pinging sound might give their locations away.

From BBC

“Chalamet made the comment on a press tour for his movie about ping pong”—not a sport known for setting attendance records.

From The Wall Street Journal

My phone pings as I get in the back of the car.

From Literature