tongs

American  

[tawngz, tongz] / tɔŋz, tɒŋz /

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. any of various implements consisting of two arms hinged, pivoted, or otherwise fastened together, for seizing, holding, or lifting something (usually used withpair of ).

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tongs British  

/ tɒŋz /

plural noun

1. Also called: pair of tongs.  a tool for grasping or lifting, consisting of a hinged, sprung, or pivoted pair of arms or levers, joined at one end

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Etymology

Origin of tongs

see origin at tong ¹

Explanation

Tongs are a tool for picking things up. Large kitchen tongs can be used for flipping burgers on the grill or rescuing ears of corn that have fallen into the coals. Tongs are the tool that you use to grip something and lift it. They are usually jointed near the handle, with two grippers at the other end, so that you can one-handedly grasp objects. You might use tongs to move something hot, like food or burning logs, or to serve food such as salad, sugar cubes, or noodles. The Germanic root means "that which bites."

Example Sentences

Add the lobster meat and toss to combine using tongs.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024

And in 2021, F1 had one of its greatest-ever seasons with Mercedes and Red Bull going at it hammer and tongs with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2024

Ms. Tapia has been looking for her son, Gustavo Daryl, since he was abducted in 2018 from his food stand, apron on and grill tongs in hand.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2024

While muffins are still warm, use tongs to dip each muffin in melted butter and pecan-sugar mixture, or use a pastry brush to brush butter on each muffin before rolling in pecan sugar.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

He waves around long tongs as he speaks.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali