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

Rita Tong, the council's executive officer, said: "Mostly, people and organisations have made an effort to reach out and say they are appreciative that the Council puts on the lights."

From BBC

Attorneys representing Tong’s family did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the suit, Tong’s family is seeking unspecified damages to be determined at trial.

From Los Angeles Times

Philip Tong had a history of diabetes and, according to the lawsuit, was having trouble breathing and was coughing up blood.

From Los Angeles Times

Tong later collapsed in an emergency room in Oakland and died, according to a lawsuit filed in October.

From Los Angeles Times

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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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