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

Noun there's always one ding-dong in the tour group who wanders off and gets lost
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The spate of ding-dong-ditch killings has led some authorities to urge kids and teens not to do the prank at all. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ding-dong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ding-dong. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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