gong

noun

ˈgäŋ 

ˈgȯŋ

1

: a disk-shaped percussion instrument that produces a resounding tone when struck with a usually padded hammer

2

a

: a saucer-shaped bell (as in a fire alarm) that is struck by a mechanical hammer

b

: a wire rod wound in a flat spiral for sounding the time or chime or alarm (as in a clock)

3

British : medal

gong intransitive verb

Examples of gong in a Sentence

They sounded a gong to summon us to dinner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year’s recipient of the award, Baldur’s Gate 3 (which pipped Alan Wake II to the gong) takes its world and gameplay mechanics from the pages of a Dungeons and Dragons rulebook. —Joshua Lamb, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

The stars of big streaming hits Rivals and Baby Reindeer have scooped gongs at this year’s Broadcasting Press Guild (BPG) Awards. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025

In the docs category, Palestinian-Israeli feature No Other Land, which doesn’t even have American distribution, took home the gong. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025

Brody, 51, took home the Best Actor gong for his role in The Brutalist, his second win after 2002’s The Pianist. —Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Malay & Javanese, of imitative origin

First Known Use

circa 1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gong

• bhang
• bong
• dong
• hmong
• jong
• mong
• pong
• prong
• rong
• song
• strong
• thong

Kids Definition

gong

noun

ˈgäŋ 

ˈgȯŋ

1

: a metallic disk that makes a deep ringing sound when struck

2

: a flat saucer-shaped bell