What does "bong" mean?

1. (smoking device) a water pipe used for smoking drugs, especially cannabis. 2. (sound of a bell) the deep, loud ringing sound made by a large bell. 3. (to ring loudly) to make a deep ringing sound like a bell.

How do you use "bong"?

Usually a countable noun. Often used intransitively to describe the action of a clock or bell.

bong

n. · v.

US //ˈbɑŋ// UK //bˈɒŋ// bong

1 smoking device (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Slang

a water pipe used for smoking drugs, especially cannabis.

a filtration device, typically glass or ceramic, used for smoking cannabis or other substances by passing smoke through water.

Example

The police found a glass bong and some dried leaves in the back of the van.

Example

The shop specialized in hand-blown glass bongs and other paraphernalia, catering to a growing local subculture.

Usage

Usually a countable noun.
- water pipe
2 sound of a bell (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the deep, loud ringing sound made by a large bell.

the resonant, low-frequency sound produced by the striking of a large bell.

Example

We heard the loud bong of the clock tower striking midnight.

Example

The deep bong of the cathedral bell echoed through the narrow streets, signaling the start of the morning service.
- chime
- peal
- toll
3 to ring loudly (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

to make a deep ringing sound like a bell.

to emit a deep, resonant sound characteristic of a large bell being struck.

Example

The old clock started to bong as soon as the sun went down.

Example

The heavy iron bell began to bong rhythmically, its vibrations felt by the crowd gathered in the square below.

Usage

Often used intransitively to describe the action of a clock or bell.

Etymology 1

Onomatopoeic.

Etymology 2

From Thai บ้อง (bɔ̂ng, “a marijuana pipe”). First use in English appears c. 1971 in the publication Marijuana Review.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026