bong: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (for the smoking device); Onomatopoeic/Neutral (for the sound).
Quick answer
What does “bong” mean?
A low, resonant, reverberating sound, typically produced by striking a large bell or gong.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A low, resonant, reverberating sound, typically produced by striking a large bell or gong; or, a water pipe used for smoking cannabis.
Can refer to the act of making such a sound; in computing, a signal or alert; in motorsports, a reference to hitting a track marker.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are understood in both dialects. The 'smoking device' meaning may be slightly more prevalent in American popular culture references. The onomatopoeic use is universal.
Connotations
In both dialects, 'bong' for the device carries connotations of recreational drug use. The sound 'bong' is neutral but can have humorous or ominous connotations depending on context (e.g., a cartoon sound vs. a funeral bell).
Frequency
The 'smoking device' sense is likely more frequent in general informal discourse, especially in certain media. The onomatopoeic sense is common in written descriptions of sounds.
Grammar
How to Use “bong” in a Sentence
[Noun] gave a deep bong.[Noun] bonged (verb) loudly.He heard the bong of [Noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bong” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The great bell bonged mournfully over the empty square.
- He bonged the gong to announce dinner.
American English
- The town clock bonged midnight.
- She bonged the ceremonial bowl to start the session.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare; may appear in ethnomusicology (description of instruments) or sociology/health studies (in discussions of drug culture).
Everyday
Common for the sound effect ('the doorbell went bong'). The device sense is common in specific informal social contexts.
Technical
In computing/electronics, can refer to a specific type of alert or test signal.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bong”
- Using 'bong' in formal writing without clear context. Confusing 'bong' (sound/device) with 'bongo' (drum).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can also be a verb meaning 'to make a deep, resonant sound' (e.g., The bell bonged). However, its most frequent use is as a noun.
The onomatopoeic use for a sound is completely neutral. The use referring to a smoking device is informal and carries the cultural connotations of cannabis use, so it would be inappropriate in formal or conservative contexts.
Both are water pipes. A 'bong' is typically used for cannabis, is often made of glass or acrylic, and is simpler in design. A 'hookah' (or shisha) is traditionally used for flavoured tobacco, is often larger and more ornate, and may have multiple hoses for social smoking.
The etymology is uncertain. It is likely a 20th-century borrowing from the Thai word 'baung' (บ้อง), meaning a cylindrical wooden tube, pipe, or container cut from bamboo. This reflects the early construction of such pipes from bamboo.
A low, resonant, reverberating sound, typically produced by striking a large bell or gong.
Bong is usually informal (for the smoking device); onomatopoeic/neutral (for the sound). in register.
Bong: in British English it is pronounced /bɒŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːŋ/ or /bɔːŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bong on time (punctual, like a clock chime)”
- “Hit the bong (slang for using the smoking device)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word 'bong' sounds like the deep, resonant noise it describes. Imagine a large bell going 'BONG'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS AN OBJECT (a bong can be 'heard' or 'felt'); A RITUAL IS A TOOL (the bong as a device for a specific social/ritual act).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'bong' MOST likely to be considered informal or slang?