ding-dong

1 of 3

noun

ˈdiŋ-ˌdȯŋ How to pronounce ding-dong (audio)
-ˌdäŋ
1
: the ringing sound produced by repeated strokes especially on a bell
2

ding-dong

2 of 3

verb

ding-donged; ding-donging; ding-dongs

intransitive verb

1
: to make a ding-dong sound
2
: to repeat a sound or action tediously or insistently

ding-dong

3 of 3

adjective

chiefly British
: marked by a rapid exchange or alternation (as of blows)
a ding-dong battle

Examples of ding-dong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The mess-up puts Jamie and Marian in the crosshairs of a local crime organization headed by a soft-spoken brute known only as the Chief (Colman Domingo), who enlists two thuggish ding-dongs to get the suitcase back. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 More Doug, and less of Sebastian’s ding-dong, might have been an improvement here. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 24 May 2023
Adjective
Two San Antonio men were arrested on suspicion of robbing a teenager at gunpoint who reportedly pranked them while playing ding-dong ditch. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ding-dong.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ding-dong was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near ding-dong

Cite this Entry

“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ding-dong. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ding-dong

noun
ˈdiŋ-ˌdȯŋ,
-ˌdäŋ
: the ringing sound made by repeated strokes especially on a bell
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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