tong

[tawng, tong]

noun

tongs.

verb (used with object)

to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.

verb (used without object)

to use, or work with, tongs.

Origin of tong

before 900; 1865–70, for def 2; Middle English tong(e) (singular), tongen, tonges (plural), Old English; cognate with Dutch tang, German Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Greek dáknein to bite

Related formstong·er, noun

Can be confusedthong tong tongue

tong

[tawng, tong]

noun

(in China) an association, society, or political party.
(among Chinese living in the U.S.) a fraternal or secret society, often associated with criminal activities.

Origin of tong

1880–85, Americanism; < dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hall

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tong

Contemporary Examples of tong

Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Senator Mitch McConnell of Wherever are going at it hammer and tong.
Let the Democrats Win
Christopher Buckley
April 14, 2010

Historical Examples of tong

A bunch of us are planning to go to Tong's for a Chinese meal.
Have We No Rights?
Mabel Williamson
In the Tong version, the action seems to be done by the ring.
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol II of II)
Alice Bertha Gomme
Tong Pee, crushed to a pulp under the binnacle, made no reply.
Command
William McFee
He had never been a communicative person, Tong Pee, and now he had no choice.
Command
William McFee
It doesn't look like a place for a Tong row with Chinese pirates, though, does it?
Moran of the Lady Letty
Frank Norris

British Dictionary definitions for tong

tong

verb (tr)

to gather or seize with tongs
to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs

tong

noun

(formerly) a Chinese secret society or association, esp one popularly assumed to engage in criminal activities

Word Origin for tong

C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting place

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

Word Origin and History for tong

Tong

"Chinese secret society," 1883, from Cantonese t'ong "assembly hall."

Idioms and Phrases with tong

tong

see hammer and tongs.