Definition of ping

ping

interjection

a message (sent literally) to enquire whether someone is present via instant messaging or internet chat. ACK is the affirmative response. (NAK is a humorous negative response, meaning "No, I'm not here.")
Person A: ping.

Person B: ACK.
Person A: ping.

Person B: NAK.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to schedule, check the availability of.
Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Apr 18 2009.

noun

a measure of network lag, often used in online gaming.
I'm getting terrible pings, so I'm going to connect to a different server.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
Last edited on Apr 18 2009. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Apr 18 2009.
a short message sent to a person, often to enquire about their availability.
Could you send Bob a ping and see if he's available for a 4pm meeting?
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to schedule, check the availability of.
Last edited on Apr 18 2009. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Apr 18 2009.

verb - transitive

to send a short message to someone or call them briefly, often to enquire about their availability.
Could you ping Bob and see if he's available for a 4pm meeting?
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to schedule, check the availability of.
Last edited on Aug 02 2010. Submitted by Mark L. from Newburyport, MA, USA on Nov 07 1999.
to contact by any means.
I'll ping you later, when we are ready.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to contact, call, mail.
Last edited on Aug 02 2010. Submitted by Tom B. from Hoboken, NJ, USA on Aug 31 2003.
to send a message to a mailing list, requesting that all subscribers to the list respond to the message. This is done to verify that all subscribers' email addresses work properly.
I haven't gotten a status report from Tim lately, but he did respond when we pinged the development list.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to contact, call, mail.
Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Apr 18 2009.

origin

From a utility written in 1983 by Mike Muuss, that checks whether a remote computer can respond to network traffic. In turn, this utility (ping) was named after the submariners' term for a sonar pulse (ping).
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
- See more words with the same meaning: to schedule, check the availability of.
Last edited on Nov 15 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Apr 18 2009.

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Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
system	Definitions include: a computer system.
bbygrl	Definitions include: "babygirl", i.e. girlfriend.
ur	Definitions include: "your".
PHB	Definitions include: acronym for "pointy-haired boss".
copy-pasta	Definitions include: something repeatedly posted on an internet-based discussion forum.
CNBU	Definitions include: acronym for "cannot be unseen".
LMAO	Definitions include: acronym for "laughing my ass off."
CCW	Definitions include: acronym for "constructive criticism welcome".
pwd	Definitions include: "password."
TYSM	Definitions include: acronym for "thank you so much".
workaround	Definitions include: a method of accomplishing something that is otherwise prevented due to a bug.
pron	Definitions include: "porn", i.e. pornography.
guiltware	Definitions include: shareware that uses guilt to encourage users to pay the "registration" cost.
YW	Definitions include: acronym for "you're welcome".
bogometer	Definitions include: a metaphorical device that people possess (a la gaydar) that measures how bogus something is.
(show 587 more)
Other terms relating to 'to contact, call, mail':
give (one) a shout	Definitions include: to contact a person.
hit up	Definitions include: to contact a person, especially by calling on a phone.
buzz	Definitions include: to call on a telephone.
HMU	Definitions include: acronym for "hit me up".
get up with	Definitions include: to contact (e.g. by telephone) or to hang out with.
robocall	Definitions include: an automated phone call where the "caller" is a recorded or computer-generated message.
holla	Definitions include: to talk or to contact, especially at some later time.
butt-dial	Definitions include: to accidentally call a person on a cellphone that's in one's pocket.
MySpace	Definitions include: to send a person a comment or a message on MySpace.com.
Other terms relating to 'to schedule, check the availability of':
pencil in	Definitions include: to tentatively add something to one's schedule.
calendar	Definitions include: to examine schedules to determine a time when two or more people would be available to meet for some purpose.

Slang terms with the same root words

None. How about some random words?

serve	Definitions include: to have sex with; "give it up".
Baltimoron	Definitions include: a person from Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
-izn-	Definitions include: A sylable inserted into the middle of an ordinary word to make it "gangsta" (gangster) slang, or an existing slang word to make it even more gangsta.
clink sink drink	Definitions include: While imbibing an alcoholic shot, the act of clinking your glass with a partner, sinking the glass to the table, then raising and drinking the shot.
pump (one's) gas	Definitions include: statement of shock or alarm.
run out of steam	Definitions include: to become too tired to finish.
against the clock	Definitions include: with the amount of time left to finish a task rapidly disappearing.
shway	Definitions include: cool.
shrapnel	Definitions include: coins.
chave	Definitions include: to steal.