# pinging

/ˈpɪŋɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈɪŋɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pinging
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

to send someone a quick short message to get their attention or check if they are there.

For teachers: to send a brief electronic signal or message to check presence, responsiveness, or availability. Common in workplace communication and network testing.

## Examples

- She is pinging me about the meeting time.
- The IT team is pinging the server to check why the website is down.
- The journalist kept pinging sources throughout the night as the election results came in.

## Synonyms

message, text, nudge, poke

## Usage notes

- Transitive; typically takes a person, device, or server as direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.