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

Tongs or a fork might cause it to fall apart.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2025

David Tongs, a French resident staying in with his daughter in Southampton said he returned to her home to find an official outside who threatened him with a £500 fine.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2021

Sung Tongs was a minor breakthrough, making the Brooklyn-via-Baltimore band's small but devoted following a little less small and a lot more devoted.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2010

They also arrested Lee Gee Min, International President, the voluable Mr. Henry Moy, International Secretary, and Lee Du, local secretary of On Leong�carrying out the threat to hold officers of the Tongs responsible.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Oh yes; to be sure; certainly,” exclaimed Mr. Tongs, who seemed to have been aroused from a reverie, and for whom it was enough that he was required to confirm some dictum of his partner.

From The Golden Shoemaker or 'Cobbler' Horn by Keyworth, J. W.