ping

Everyday

1. A ping is a short, high, ringing sound, like a bell or a phone alert. tree →
2. To ping is to make that sound. tree →
3. (informal) To ping someone is to send them a quick message: ping me later. tree →
4. (computing) A ping is a test signal sent to check if a computer can be reached and how fast it answers. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: the microwave pings when food is ready; your phone pings with a message. In computing and games: low ping means a fast connection. In informal talk: «I'll ping you an email.»

Examples

• The microwave pinged and the soup was hot. tree →
• My phone pinged with a message from Gran. tree →
• The bell gave a loud ping. tree →
• Ping me when you're home. tree →
• The game is slow because my ping is high. tree →
• A stone pinged against the window. tree →

Note

Past: pinged. Informal for messaging. Related sound words: ding, beep, buzz. In UK sport and table tennis talk, «ping-pong» is table tennis.