ding

¹

[ ding ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a ringing sound.
2. to speak about insistently.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a ringing sound.
2. to talk insistently.

noun

1. a ringing sound.

ding

²

[ ding ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause surface damage to; dent:

   Flying gravel had dinged the car's fenders.

2. to strike with force; hit:

   The catcher was dinged on the shoulder by a wild throw.

3. to blackball:

   Only one freshman was dinged by the fraternity.

noun

1. dent; nick:

   The surfboard has a few dings in it from scraping over rocks.

ding

¹

/ dɪŋ /

verb

1. to ring or cause to ring, esp with tedious repetition
2. tr another word for din 1

noun

1. an imitation or representation of the sound of a bell
2. informal.
   a party or social event

ding

²

/ dɪŋ /

verb

1. to strike; dash down
2. to surpass

Word History and Origins

Origin of ding¹

First recorded in 1575–85; ding-dong

Origin of ding²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb dingen, dengen, dengen “to beat, scourge,” probably from Old English gedingan “to throw oneself with force”; akin to Old English dencgan “to knock, ding,” Old Norse dengja “to beat, hammer”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ding¹

C13: probably of imitative origin, but influenced by din ¹+ ring ²; compare Old Swedish diunga to beat

Origin of ding²

Middle English dingen

Example Sentences

“Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding,” she sang.

From Salon

The hotel lift gently levelled out and a muffled ding sounded.

From BBC

“Well, this ding dong, senator, has risen in the polls,” Cavuto said.

From Salon

Six days after Skenes threw six electrifying no-hit innings against the Cubs, the Giants managed to ding him for six singles and a walk.

From Seattle Times

Today, the curbs are suitably beaten up, with dings and black smears as if tires had been rubbing against them for decades.

From Los Angeles Times