gong

[ gawng, gong ]

noun

1. a large bronze disk, of Asian origin, having an upturned rim, that produces a vibrant, hollow tone when struck, usually with a stick or hammer that has a padded head.
2. a shallow bell sounded by a hammer operated electrically or mechanically:

   The fire-alarm system will automatically sound the gong.

3. (in a clock or watch) a rod or wire, either straight or bent into a spiral, on which the time is struck.
4. British Slang. a medal or military decoration.

verb (used without object)

1. to sound as a gong does; ring, chime, or reverberate.

gong

/ ɡɒŋ /

noun

1. Also calledtam-tam a percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a metal platelike disc struck with a soft-headed drumstick
2. a rimmed metal disc, hollow metal hemisphere, or metal strip, tube, or wire that produces a note when struck. It may be used to give alarm signals when operated electromagnetically
3. a fixed saucer-shaped bell, as on an alarm clock, struck by a mechanically operated hammer
4. slang.
   a medal, esp a military one

verb

1. intr to sound a gong
2. tr (of traffic police) to summon (a driver) to stop by sounding a gong

Derived Forms

• ˈgongˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• gonglike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gong¹

1800–10; < Malay, Javanese: any suspended bossed and rimmed gong; presumably imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of gong¹

C17: from Malay, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

When one of China’s biggest celebrities, Simon Gong—also known as Gong Jun—released a new music video in June 2022, it quickly attracted 15 million views on the country’s Twitter-like microblogging site Weibo.

From MIT Technology Review

A gong at the center of the display rings every 15 minutes, representing the frequency of deaths from gun violence in America.

From Washington Post

None of the immune response … We had to get fluids into those cats or they were gong to die.

From Washington Post

At first glance, it might sound like a New Age concept, but those who have been privy to the sound of bells in Hindu temples or gongs in Buddhist monasteries will know it’s rooted in ancient practices.

From Ozy

The Best Documentary Feature gong for My Octopus Teacher at this year’s Academy Awards has been seen by many critics as the type of underdog story Oscar loves.

From Quartz

But it was a real gong and it came with a nice ribbon and a letter from the Queen.

From The Daily Beast

“Nobody wins when there is so much shame or guilt around the topic,” says Tina Gong.

From The Daily Beast

China in the limelight with its magic act making Uighurs, dissidents, Falun Gong and weibo blogs disappear without a trace.

From The Daily Beast

In 2011, the wires were clogged with stories of a potential Peace Prize gong for Julian Assange.

From The Daily Beast

Wardens and guards with names like Interrogator Wu and Officer Gong deprived the prisoners they hated of meat.

From The Daily Beast

Almost coincident with the last stroke came the sweeter note of a silver gong from somewhere close at hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Close to the veranda stood a big night-gong, never used except for flood, or fire in the village.

From Project Gutenberg

Maud Barrington's face had grown very colorless, but she said nothing, and her aunt rose and raised the hammer of a gong.

From Project Gutenberg

So it happened that this was the main thought in his mind when the starter's gong sounded and the racers shot away down the track.

From Project Gutenberg

Return to your seat when the gong sounds the recall, that you may not disturb others after the next act commences.

From Project Gutenberg