ping
ping Lexical Profile
ping Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A brief electronic message or notification sent to an individual's phone or computer.
"I received a ping from my manager asking for a quick update on the marketing project."
A query sent over a computer network to another device to check its availability or measure connection latency.
"The network administrator sent a ping to the server to verify that it was still online."
A short, high-pitched ringing sound, such as that made by active sonar or a struck metal object.
"The submarine's crew listened intently for the ping of the enemy's active sonar."
• verb
To send a brief electronic message or digital notification to (someone).
"Please ping me on the messaging app as soon as you finish reviewing the quarterly report."
To send a network signal to (a computer or device) to verify its online status or measure latency.
"If the database application fails to load, try to ping the host server to ensure there is a connection."
To make a short, high-pitched ringing or metallic sound.
"The microwave pinged cheerfully to indicate that the coffee was hot."
• Rhymes for ping
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 19th century: imitative of a sharp, high-pitched sound. The computing and network sense, introduced in 1983 by Mike Muuss, was named by analogy with the sound of active sonar.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.