gong
Americannoun
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a large bronze disk, of Asian origin, having an upturned rim, that produces a vibrant, hollow tone when struck, usually with a stick or hammer that has a padded head.
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a shallow bell sounded by a hammer operated electrically or mechanically.
The fire-alarm system will automatically sound the gong.
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(in a clock or watch) a rod or wire, either straight or bent into a spiral, on which the time is struck.
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British Slang. a medal or military decoration.
verb (used without object)
noun
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Also called: tam-tam. a percussion instrument of indefinite pitch, consisting of a metal platelike disc struck with a soft-headed drumstick
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a rimmed metal disc, hollow metal hemisphere, or metal strip, tube, or wire that produces a note when struck. It may be used to give alarm signals when operated electromagnetically
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a fixed saucer-shaped bell, as on an alarm clock, struck by a mechanically operated hammer
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slang a medal, esp a military one
verb
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(intr) to sound a gong
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(tr) (of traffic police) to summon (a driver) to stop by sounding a gong
Other Word Forms
- gonglike adjective
Etymology
Origin of gong
1800–10; < Malay, Javanese: any suspended bossed and rimmed gong; presumably imitative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The band's Noel Gallagher was in attendance to collect the gong for songwriter of the year.
From Barron's
In the morning, the castle rang with chimes and bells, not like the single gong of the village bell in The Mountain, but dozens of them ringing in all different tones.
From Literature
The box-office hit has already secured Timothée best actor gongs at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes, and he is expected to continue his success at the Bafta Film Awards on Sunday.
From BBC
More than 1,150 people received gongs in the latest list, which is decided by an honours committee.
From Barron's
“Eureka!” she cried, and then clapped her hand over her mouth, for the word rang through the hall like a gong.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
