ping

[ ping ]

verb (used without object)

1. to produce a sharp sound like that of a bullet striking a sheet of metal.

verb (used with object)

1. Computers. to send an echo-request packet to (an IP address) and use the echo reply to determine whether another computer on the network is operational and the speed at which the data is being transferred.
2. to make contact with (someone) by sending a brief electronic message, as a text message:

   The design team should ping marketing to set up a meeting next week.

   Ping me when you arrive, and I’ll meet you at the door.

noun

1. a pinging sound.
2. an infrasonic or ultrasonic sound wave created by sonar in echolocation.
3. an acoustic signal transmitted to indicate a location:

   Rescue crews were able to follow the ping and locate the flight recorder.

4. Computers. an echo-request and echo-reply protocol that tests a connection online or in a network by sending a packet to a host IP address and measuring the round-trip speed of data transfer.
5. one of the possible sounds made by an electronic or mobile device to signal the receipt of data, as a phone or text message.

ping

/ pɪŋ /

noun

1. a short high-pitched resonant sound, as of a bullet striking metal or a sonar echo
2. computing a system for testing whether internet systems are responding and how long in milliseconds it takes them to respond

verb

1. intr to make such a noise
2. tr computing to send a test message to (a computer or server) in order to check whether it is responding or how long it takes it to respond

Derived Forms

• ˈpinging, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ping¹

First recorded in 1850–55; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of ping¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Every night, Ukrainians go to sleep to notifications pinging on their phones, as inbound drones crisscross the country, setting sirens blaring.

From BBC

"The ping pong around these policies is endangering our health and it's limiting our freedoms to make our decisions for ourselves."

From Salon

"It illuminates the bee, then pings back a higher frequency signal, which we can locate with another radio receiver," said Associate Prof of Engineering Science Chris Stevens.

From BBC

Then Redick paused and started to laugh, almost as if he could imagine the pinging of his phone after his sideline behavior got dissected.

From Los Angeles Times

A few texts later, he added: “The ping was done by law enforcement themselves ... It took a Warrant ... And had to get signed by judge.”

From Los Angeles Times