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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 ).


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of tongs

tong 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

For several seconds, Papa just stood there, with the tongs in one hand and a hammer in the other, watching Daisy and Rowdy make their way up the trail.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls