ping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumneutral‑informal (when meaning 'contact'), technical (when meaning 'network test')
Quick answer
What does “ping” mean?
A short, high‑pitched, ringing sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, high‑pitched, ringing sound.
To contact someone briefly, often digitally; to test network connectivity by sending a data packet; a metaphorical nudge or check‑in.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the core meaning identically. In IT contexts, both use the network 'ping' identically. The metaphorical verb 'to ping someone' is more established in UK English.
Connotations
In business/informal UK English, 'ping me' is a common, casual way to say 'contact me quickly'. In US English, it may sound slightly more technical or less natural in non‑IT contexts.
Frequency
As a verb meaning 'to contact', it is significantly more frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “ping” in a Sentence
Ping someone (with something)Ping something (to someone)Ping (out)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ping” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll ping you the details.
- Can you ping the IT team about the outage?
- The monitor pings when the process is complete.
American English
- Ping the server to check the connection.
- She pinged me on Slack.
- The system pings an alert for errors.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Casual: 'Ping me the figures by noon.'
Academic
Rare outside IT/network studies papers.
Everyday
'I'll ping you when I'm on the train.'
Technical
Used to test network latency: 'The server didn't respond to the ping.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ping”
- Using 'ping' in very formal contexts (e.g., legal documents).
- Incorrect preposition: 'Ping to me' instead of 'Ping me'.
- Overusing the IT term in general conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its original meaning is an onomatopoeic sound. The computing meaning (network test) and the informal 'contact someone' meaning are common extensions.
When meaning 'to contact someone', it is informal and best used in casual business or social contexts. The IT term is standard technical language.
'Ping' implies a very brief, lightweight contact, often to get attention or a quick reply. 'Message' is more neutral and can be longer.
Yes. As a noun, it can mean the sound itself ('a loud ping') or, in IT, the data packet sent/received ('the server's ping was 20ms').
A short, high‑pitched, ringing sound.
Ping: in British English it is pronounced /pɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ping into action”
- “Ping off the radar”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word sounds like the high‑pitched 'ping' a small bell or metal object makes.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A SOUND WAVE / CONTACT IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT.
Practice
Quiz
In UK business English, 'Ping me' most likely means: