tong

[ tawng, tong ]

/ tɔŋ, tɒŋ /

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See synonyms for: tongs on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON OPPOSITES OF RED BEFORE YOU TURN SCARLET

We have a challenge that will make you blush: do you know the many words and ways to describe the opposite of red?

Question 1 of 7

Which of the following colors is used to symbolize AIR?

white

green

red

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM tong

tonger, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tong

thong, tong , tongue

Words nearby tong

tonetic, tonetics, tonette, tone-up, ton-force, tong, tonga, Tongan, Tongass National Forest, Tonghua, tongman

Other definitions for tong (2 of 2)

tong²

[ tawng, tong ]

/ tɔŋ, tɒŋ /

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. 2022

How to use tong in a sentence

You need a great spatula, a strong pair of tongs, a comfortable serving fork, and a safe way to clean your grill.
Best grill accessories you need to become a grill master|Florie Korani|July 23, 2021|Popular-Science
From today’s WiFi and Bluetooth grills to new tongs, the best and brightest grill gear is the secret sauce of a memorable summer.
Optimal Grilling Accessories and Grilling Tools For The Best Backyard BBQ|Irena Collaku|June 25, 2021|Popular-Science
Using tongs or a spatula, flip the sausages over and toss the onions and peppers so that they cook evenly.
A sheet-pan shortcut for Chicago-style Italian sausage sandwiches with peppers and onions|Daniela Galarza|June 24, 2021|Washington Post
Using a spider or tongs, stir the potatoes gently, to ensure they aren’t sticking together.
Start with cold oil for crisper, golden french fries you’ll crave|Daniela Galarza|June 17, 2021|Washington Post

Alvarez-Roos suggests using the longest tongs that storage space will allow.
9 Hacks to Avoid Camp Kitchen Setup Disasters|Joe Jackson|June 6, 2021|Outside Online
Around that time, in 1972, Chinese-American restaurateur Michael Tong opened Shun Lee Palace on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
‘The Search for General Tso’: The Origins of America’s Favorite Chinese Dish, General Tso’s Chicken|Marlow Stern|April 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their goal, he argues, is not world domination but da tong: “great harmony.”
Dr. K’s Rx for China|Niall Ferguson|May 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
The Treasurie of the French Tong: teaching the waye to varie all sortes of verbes.
The Teaching and Cultivation of the French Language in England during Tudor and Stuart Times|Kathleen Lambley
Now, what I want to know is what the Hop Sing tong means by shipping the departed brethren by freight?
Captain Scraggs|Peter B. Kyne
But behind the voual in our tong (so far as yet I can fynd) it hath no use.
Of the Orthographie and Congruitie of the Britan Tongue|Alexander Hume
At the last-mentioned place it receives the Roch, and then goes westward to Farnworth, where it is joined by the Tong.
The Rivers of Great Britain; Rivers of the South and West Coasts|Various
They make some distinction in another instance when speaking of crying, they say the men Tong-i; the women Tong-e.
An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Vol. 1|David Collins

British Dictionary definitions for tong (1 of 2)

tong¹

/ (tɒŋ) /

verb (tr)

to gather or seize with tongs

to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs

British Dictionary definitions for tong (2 of 2)

tong²

/ (tɒŋ) /

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with tong

tong

see hammer and tongs.

tong

Origin of tong

OTHER WORDS FROM tong

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tong

Words nearby tong

Other definitions for tong (2 of 2)

Origin of tong

Words related to tong

How to use tong in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tong (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for tong (2 of 2)

Word Origin for tong

Other Idioms and Phrases with tong