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':
GTS	Definitions include: acronym for "Google that shit".
DC	Definitions include: "disconnect".
showstopper	Definitions include: a bug that makes hardware or software unusable.
spoof	Definitions include: methamphetamine.
link farm	Definitions include: a website with little or no content, consisting of mostly (or entirely)
beermat	Definitions include: unwanted optical media (e.g. CDs) received as junk mail.
oic	Definitions include: acronym for "oh, I see".
in the background	Definitions include: of an ongoing task, performed slowly over time, when nothing is claiming one's immediate attention.
crippleware	Definitions include: software that has had features disabled to entice people to upgrade to a for-pay or more expensive version.
suitably small	Definitions include: used for commentary on something that has been overstated.
zomg	Definitions include: "Oh my God."
coaster	Definitions include: to ruin writable optical media via a write ("burn") attempt which fails.
ROTFL	Definitions include: acronym for "rolling on the floor laughing".
jsmh	Definitions include: acronym for "just shaking my head".
INAE	Definitions include: acronym for "I'm not an expert".
(show 576 more)
Other terms relating to 'to contact, call, mail':
buzz	Definitions include: to call on a telephone.
give (one) a shout	Definitions include: to contact a person.
hit up	Definitions include: to contact a person, especially by calling on a phone.
MySpace	Definitions include: to send a person a comment or a message on MySpace.com.
get up with	Definitions include: to contact (e.g. by telephone) or to hang out with.
butt-dial	Definitions include: to accidentally call a person on a cellphone that's in one's pocket.
HMU	Definitions include: acronym for "hit me up".
holla	Definitions include: to talk or to contact, especially at some later time.
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?

fink	Definitions include: a person who informs on another person or group to authorities.
smooth move, Ex-Lax	Definitions include: sarcastic comment used when someone makes a mistake.
manhood	Definitions include: a penis.
name drop	Definitions include: to casually mention association with a well-known person, so as to appear more important.
let the kids off at the pool	Definitions include: To take a dump.
fluffer	Definitions include: a person on the crew of a pornographic film whose job is to make the leading male erect, when required.
where in the hell	Definitions include: See in the hell.
crack foxy	Definitions include: clever; cunning; wise-acre; quick witted and tricky.
cahoochy	Definitions include: uneven or unsteady.
diva up	Definitions include: when a woman needs to be tougher, smarter, at the top of her game, to shine in all aspects.