ping-pong

1 of 3

verb

ˈpiŋ-ˌpäŋ How to pronounce ping-pong (audio)
-ˌpȯŋ
ping-ponged; ping-ponging; ping-pongs

ping-pong

2 of 3

noun

: something resembling a game of table tennis
especially : a series of usually verbal exchanges between two parties
… a ping-pong of absurdist dialogue … Lawrence O'Toole

Ping-Pong

3 of 3

trademark

ˈpiŋ-ˌpäŋ How to pronounce Ping-Pong (audio)
-ˌpȯŋ
used for table tennis

Examples of ping-pong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Study after study shows that ping-pong (and racket sports in general) improve cognitive function and information processing. J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026 In Josh Safdie’s feverish ping-pong epic, Marty (Timothée Chalamet) breaks from his benefactor, pen tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary), risking everything to erase an old defeat. Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 In her scenes with each of them, Hedda’s motivations feel murky as she ping-pongs between flirtation, disgust, fear and anger. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 Directed by Josh Safdie, the frenetic adventure follows Chalamet as the fictional ping-pong champ Marty Mauser, who puts himself through the wringer to pursue his dream of becoming a table-tennis champ. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026 There was a ping-pong table in the room. Tim Rohan, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026 Elsewhere, Hamnet‘s Jessie Buckley nabbed actress of the year for her performance in Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean heartbreaker, while Timothée Chalamet took home the lead actor prize for Josh Safdie’s ping-pong caper Marty Supreme. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026 Like a human ping-pong ball, he was shuttled across the Sunshine State, from Miami to Orlando and then to Baker County. Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026 And, as our amigo Michael Cunningham wrote earlier this week, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s latest injury only increases the odds the Hawks land a very early pick (ping-pong balls pending). Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ping-pong was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Ping-pong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ping-pong. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

Ping-Pong

trademark
ˈpiŋ-ˌpäŋ
-ˌpȯŋ
used for table tennis

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