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noun Uncommon

gong

gong
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Gong (noun) means a large metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck with a mallet. Example: “The monastery rang a gong to signal the start of meditation.”

noun
1
A large metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck with a mallet.
"The monastery rang a gong to signal the start of meditation."
2
British slang for a medal or award.
"He picked up another gong at the awards ceremony this year."
verb
1
To signal someone to stop, especially a contestant in a talent show, by striking a gong.
"The judges gonged the act off the stage after ten seconds."

How to use gong

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA struck metal instrument used for signaling or ceremony — also slang for a medal, or for buzzing someone off a talent show stage.

Common pairings
strike the gong get gonged
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Word forms

Plural
gongs
Third person singular
gongs
Past tense
gonged
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The monastery rang a _____ to signal the start of meditation.

Etymology

Borrowed from Malay gong, likely imitative of the sound itself.

Origin: Malay

Related words

Rhymes for gong

See all rhymes for gong →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gong” mean?
The word “gong” means a large metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck with a mallet. In plain terms, a struck metal instrument used for signaling or ceremony — also slang for a medal, or for buzzing someone off a talent show stage.
How do you pronounce “gong”?
“Gong” is pronounced gong (/ɡɔŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gong” in a sentence?
Here is “gong” used in a sentence: “The monastery rang a gong to signal the start of meditation.”
What part of speech is “gong”?
Depending on how it is used, “gong” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gong” come from?
The word “gong” comes from Malay. Borrowed from Malay gong, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Is “gong” a common word?
“Gong” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gong” have?
“Gong” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large metal disc that produces a deep, resonant sound when struck with a mallet.

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