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pang

noun
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\ ˈpaŋ How to pronounce pang (audio) \

Definition of pang

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a brief piercing spasm of pain the pangs of childbirth
2 : a sharp attack of mental anguish pangs of remorse a pang of guilt a pang of disappointment

pang

verb
panged; panging; pangs

Definition of pang (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to cause to have pangs : torment
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about pang

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Examples of pang in a Sentence

Noun those hunger pangs that strike you in the middle of the afternoon
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Because the thrills might trigger hunger pangs, the area will also welcome a restaurant, ice cream parlor, and confectionery kitchen. — Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "The 10 most anticipated roller coasters of 2020: Iron Gwazi, Orion, Aquaman: Power Wave," 4 Jan. 2020 Buy Now: $10, amazon.com Plum Organics Food Pouches Having food that’s easy to use on the go is vital in case of any unexpected hunger pangs that spring up—often accompanied by some loud demands for food. — Noah Kaufman, Condé Nast Traveler, "10 Gifts for Anyone Traveling With a Baby," 2 Dec. 2019 But are marijuana users really opting for healthier food choices when those high hunger pangs set in? — Mike Adams, chicagotribune.com, "Is legal marijuana creating more junk food junkies?," 23 Sep. 2019 Or the apocalypse pangs, later: a pianist in a gas mask, some riot-gear ballerinas, pictures of burning forests projected behind her. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Madonna at War," 20 Sep. 2019 This could mean more weight loss, less hunger pangs, and more energy. — Adele Jackson-gibson, Good Housekeeping, "Can You Do Intermittent Fasting While on the Keto Diet?," 26 Nov. 2019 And the pangs of love, in its many forms, reverberate through Woodson’s pages, which hit close to the marrow of old Brooklyn, with brown girls and boys, dreaming; their parents and grandparents, too, wishing for peace, to be settled. — Joshunda Sanders, Time, "An Unplanned Teen Pregnancy Ripples Through Generations in Jacqueline Woodson's Red at the Bone," 19 Sep. 2019 There is still a pang of loss for parts of Florida that will never be regained, and an urgency that can border on panic over just how monstrous the water issues remain. — T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, "The Conservation Fight for Florida Water is Finally Seeing Progress," 6 Dec. 2019 She was consumed by the chase but also suffering from periodic pangs of doubt. — Robert Hackett, Fortune, "Prepare to Be Watched Everywhere," 21 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Its sonic trappings are in vogue, but thanks in large part to front-woman Fox Rodemich’s memorable voice, which pangs around the record like a cave bellow, there’s an outlying classic quality to these songs. — Dylan Owens, The Know, "The week in local albums: Shady Elders, Otis Taylor and Gasoline Lollipops," 16 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pang.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pang

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1502, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pang

Noun

origin unknown

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Time Traveler for pang

Time Traveler

The first known use of pang was in the 15th century

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Statistics for pang

Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Pang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pang. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for pang

pang

noun
How to pronounce pang (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pang

: a sudden, strong feeling of physical or emotional pain

See the full definition for pang in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pang

noun
\ ˈpaŋ How to pronounce pang (audio) \

Kids Definition of pang

: a sudden sharp feeling of physical pain or emotion hunger pangs a pang or guilt

pang

noun
\ ˈpaŋ How to pronounce pang (audio) \

Medical Definition of pang

: a brief piercing spasm of pain — see birth pang, hunger pangs

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More from Merriam-Webster on pang

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pang

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pang

Spanish Central: Translation of pang

Nglish: Translation of pang for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pang for Arabic Speakers

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