tongs
Tongs (noun) means a tool with two hinged arms used for gripping and lifting objects without touching them by hand. Example: “He used tongs to flip the steaks on the grill.”
How to use tongs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pincer-like tool for picking things up, common in kitchens, labs, and fireplaces.
"Tongs" is treated as plural (like "scissors"): you say "a pair of tongs," not "a tong."
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used _____ to flip the steaks on the grill.
Etymology
From Old English tange, related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to bite."
Rhymes for tongs
See all rhymes for tongs →Frequently asked questions
What does “tongs” mean?
The word “tongs” means a tool with two hinged arms used for gripping and lifting objects without touching them by hand. In plain terms, a pincer-like tool for picking things up, common in kitchens, labs, and fireplaces.
How do you pronounce “tongs”?
“Tongs” is pronounced tongz (/tɔŋz/ in IPA).
How do you use “tongs” in a sentence?
Here is “tongs” used in a sentence: “He used tongs to flip the steaks on the grill.”
What part of speech is “tongs”?
“Tongs” is a noun.
Where does the word “tongs” come from?
The word “tongs” comes from Old English. From Old English tange, related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to bite.".