ping

[ping]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ping¹

First recorded in 1850–55; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of ping¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

When the first ball of the match pinged out of the middle of Wolvaardt's bat off to the cover boundary, it felt ominous and the unassuming but steely look of determination never left her face.

Read more on BBC

In January 2024, Jones again pinged his contacts after hearing that ailing Lakers star Anthony Davis—identified as “Player 4”—would be limited.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hours after the 7 October attack began, his phone pinged a cell tower near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, the sight of a massacre, the documents said.

Read more on BBC

Investigators later tracked pings from mobile phones connecting to towers along the route taken by the Brink’s 18-wheeler as it traveled from the Bay Area to Lebec.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They were standing in broad daylight in a Brooklyn park playing the “ping pong shake,” a game in which they were to shake ping-pong balls out of an empty Kleenex box strapped to their waist.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal