ping

American  

[ping] / pɪŋ /

verb (used without object)

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

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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

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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

Explanation

A ping is a sharp, high-pitched, somewhat musical sound. Quickly tapping a spoon against a crystal glass makes a ping. If you ping someone, you contact them via computer or phone, which might ping when the message comes through. The word ping is onomatopoeic, or imitative — in other words, it sounds just like its meaning. Things that might ping include your electronic alarm clock, some video games, a stone against your car's windshield, and the timer on your microwave. In the 1800s, a ping was primarily the sound a bullet made as it hit something — today it's just as likely to mean "a message sent from one computer to another."

Example Sentences

Gaming performance is solid with excellent ping rates on most servers.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026

"Ross stayed awake one night listening to the 'ping ping ping' of the smaller stones coming down but the bigger ones - you really hear them thud," she said.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

If business lingo annoys you, ping us with the details.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Play long enough, and the speed of the ping pong light ball increases, racing across the expanse until a player can’t keep up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

The familiar ping of steel against steel soon echoed back to the silent house.

From "Stella by Starlight" by Sharon M. Draper