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':
WAYD	Definitions include: acronym for "What are you doing?"
GTFO	Definitions include: acronym for "get the fuck out", an expression of disbelief.
pr0n	Definitions include: Pornography.
ILU2	Definitions include: acronym for "I love you too".
BBC	Definitions include: acronym for "big black cock".
shmup	Definitions include: abbreviated form of "shoot 'em up".
CAE	Definitions include: acronym for "can anyone else".
spamvertize	Definitions include: to advertise using spam and "spammy" techniques.
biffle	Definitions include: pronunciation of BFFL.
avatar	Definitions include: an icon, pictorial, or 3D representation of a person online.
barf	Definitions include: to vomit.
nn	Definitions include: "non-nude".
spam	Definitions include: unsolicited advertisements sent in bulk via e-mail.
SMFH	Definitions include: acronym for "shaking my fucking head".
TOS	Definitions include: to terminate an account because the account-holder violated the Terms of Service.
(show 585 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?

vertically challenged	Definitions include: short.
I'm bigger than all that	Definitions include: This phrase simply means that the situation that you are in is purely trivial and that you can overcome the obstacle that is before you.
skins	Definitions include: skins/skinheads.
have a sly jib	Definitions include: to masturbate.
load of crap	Definitions include: lots of worthless things.
-z	Definitions include: Replacement for the "s" suffix used to indicate plural nouns.
symp	Definitions include: a male who cares too much about a woman's unnecessary behavior or problems.
raft	Definitions include: a lot.
swank	Definitions include: miscellaneous things, typically given away free.
trash panda	Definitions include: a racoon.