Tong Definition & Meaning

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tong1

noun (1)verb (used with object) (1)verb (used without object) (1)

tong2

noun (2)

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AmericanBritishtong1

[ tawng, tong ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

1. tongs.

verb (used with object)

1. to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.

verb (used without object)

1. to use, or work with, tongs.

tong

2

[ tawng, tong ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

1. (in China) an association, society, or political party.
2. (among Chinese living in the U.S.) a fraternal or secret society, often associated with criminal activities.

tong

1

/ tɒŋ /

verb

1. to gather or seize with tongs
2. to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs

tong

2

/ tɒŋ /

noun

1. (formerly) a Chinese secret society or association, esp one popularly assumed to engage in criminal activities

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Other Words From

• tonger noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of tong1

before 900; 1865–70, tong 1fordef 2; Middle English tong ( e ) (singular), tongen, tonges (plural), Old English; cognate with Dutch tang, German Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Greek dáknein to bite

Origin of tong2

1880–85, Americanism; < dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hallDiscover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of tong1

C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting placeDiscover More

Idioms and Phrases

see hammer and tongs .Discover More

Example Sentences

The studies have “sparked serious concerns over Beijing’s potential adoption of a first-use strategy and increased nuclear threats, fuelling strong support to significantly boost US nuclear capabilities in response,” says Tong Zhao from think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

From BBC

Mary succeeded her mother at 13 Tong, but it was the smallest of the crofts in Tong.

From BBC

Gordon Chan Kum Tong scored a late consolation try for the tourists in an entertaining contest.

From BBC

The Shanghai label Shushu/Tong employs bow maximalism, with every piece incorporating at least one bow, resulting in garments that are playful yet restrained.

From Los Angeles Times

IT worker Kenny Tong now only take a cab about three times a month, preferring to avoid the ordeal where he can.

From BBC

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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.

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