pinging

/ˈpɪŋɪŋ/
verbIntermediate
💻Technology
technical

Sending a signal to a device or server to test its connectivity and response time.

The network administrator is pinging the router to diagnose connectivity issues.

They are sending signals to the router to identify and troubleshoot problems.

Pinging a website can help determine if it's online and accessible.

Sending signals to a website can check if it is operational and reachable.

💡

In computing, 'ping' is a network utility used to test the reachability of a host.

informal

To contact someone briefly, often via digital communication.

I'll just ping you later to confirm the meeting details.

I'll send you a quick message later to verify the meeting information.

💡

This usage is common in workplaces and online communities.

Collocations

ping a serversend a signal to a server to test its connectivityping someonecontact someone briefly, often digitally

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

ping pongphrase
a back-and-forth exchange of messages or ideas

💡Pro Tip

Technical vs. Informal Use

Be mindful of the context when using 'pinging'—it can refer to network testing or casual communication.

Gold Rule

Precision in Technical Contexts

In IT, 'pinging' specifically refers to sending a signal to test connectivity, not general communication.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the sound made by sonar or radar, adopted in computing to describe the sound of a signal being sent and received.

📝Usage Notes

The term is widely used in IT and networking, but its informal usage has expanded to general communication.

Word Breakdown

ping
a short, sharp sound or signal
root
+
-ing
ongoing action
suffix
English Dictionary