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':
hack together	Definitions include: to hack, with the result being something quickly and sloppily created, or modified to solve a particular problem.
PITA	Definitions include: acronym of "pain in the ass."
RTM	Definitions include: acronym for "read the manual".
charityware	Definitions include: a form of shareware where, in lieu of the "registration" fee, the author asks that users donate to a charity.
sex changer	Definitions include: a cable connector device with either two male or two female connectors on it, used to connect mismatched cables.
I for one welcome our new 'X' overlords	Definitions include: a comment that usually serves no other purpose above telling listeners (or more often: readers) that the speaker (writer) is in the technological "in group".
meme	Definitions include: something that spreads through the internet in the same way that a virus spreads between organisms.
prepend	Definitions include: to add something to the beginning; "prefix".
low-bandwidth	Definitions include: a session of communication that has little information relative to its time-length.
beermat	Definitions include: unwanted optical media (e.g. CDs) received as junk mail.
Hockey Puck	Definitions include: an HP-UX computer.
kthxbai	Definitions include: "okay, thanks, 'bye".
TTFN	Definitions include: acronym for "ta-ta for now" (i.e. "goodbye for now.") Used mainly in computer-based conversation (instant messaging, email, text messaging, etc.)
blogosphere	Definitions include: the totality of all blogs.
NOYB	Definitions include: acronym for "none of your business."
(show 554 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?

frack	Definitions include: See frak.
AMA	Definitions include: "ask me anything".
candy flip	Definitions include: to ingest LSD and Ecstasy (MDMA) at the same time.
*big dck and the twins**	Definitions include: a penis.
greasy spoon	Definitions include: a diner that serves inexpensive food.
back forty	Definitions include: a place that is far away.
hoochie mama	Definitions include: a female with low morals and/or a female who dresses in gaudy, tight clothing.
wear many hats	Definitions include: to take on many roles.
frazzled	Definitions include: stressed out. suggesting somebody's hair going all over the place when stressed.
numb nut	Definitions include: a person who does something very stupid.