Synonyms

tongs

American

[tawngz, tongz] / tɔŋz, tɒŋz /

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

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

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.

Oliver James, another flatmate who is studying zoology, transferred the scorpion into a plastic container with kitchen tongs.

From BBC • Oct. 10, 2024

Add the lobster meat and toss to combine using tongs.

From Salon • Sep. 1, 2024

Use clean tongs, cutting boards and plates for serving cooked food.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 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

Twig picked up the tongs and plucked a magnet off the hot plate.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023