ping-pong

1 of 3

verb

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

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
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
While the crews work to ensure their ships remain seaworthy, and movies and ping-pong serve as distractions, staving off boredom and depression is a struggle. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 July 2026 The one-of-a-kind ping-pong table inspired by Spider-Man and featuring a signature from late comic book icon Stan Lee, who created the character with artist Steve Ditko, has hit the market from 11 Ravens for $480,000. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026 The outdoor deck had a small plunge pool next to our very own ping-pong table. — Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026 If the ping-pong balls bounce its way, the chance to draft AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer would change the temperature of the rebuild in a hurry. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ping-pong

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

Rhymes for ping-pong

See All Rhymes for ping-pong

Browse Nearby Words

pingo
ping-pong
Ping-Pong
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ping-pong.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ping-pong. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

Ping-Pong

trademark
ˈpiŋ-ˌpäŋ, 
-ˌpȯŋ
—used for table tennis

More from Merriam-Webster on ping-pong

Nglish: Translation of ping-pong for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All