What does tong mean?
A tong is an implement for gripping or lifting objects, normally consisting of two joined or hinged arms. Because the tool is generally used as a pair, tongs is the usual form in everyday speech, while the singular tong can refer to one arm or to an individual implement in technical contexts. Familiar examples include blacksmith’s tongs, salad tongs, ice tongs, and the heavy tongs used to handle logs. The word also has a separate, specialized use in English for a Chinese secret society or criminal organization, especially one associated with Hong Kong. In some dialects, tong can also mean a tongue or a tooth. Although it may sound like a shortened form of tongue, tong is historically an independent English word with Germanic roots and cognates in several European languages. Its unusual plural usage makes it especially memorable: a person may use one arm of a pair of tongs, but would ordinarily refer to the complete tool as tongs.
nounA tool for gripping or lifting objects, consisting of two hinged or joined arms and usually used in the plural form tongs; in singular use, one arm of such a tool. In some Chinese-English usage, a tong is a secret society or criminal organization, particularly one associated with Hong Kong.
- A pair of hinged or joined arms used for gripping or lifting objects, especially when used as a single implement.
- One arm of a pair of tongs.
- A Chinese secret society or criminal organization, particularly one operating in Hong Kong or other Chinese communities.
- In some dialects, a tongue or a tooth.
"The blacksmith used a tong to hold the glowing metal against the anvil."
"The blacksmith clamped the hot piece of metal with a pair of tongs."
"The novel portrayed a powerful tong operating in the streets of Hong Kong."
The plural is standard because the implement is normally understood as a pair; tong may refer to one arm or, technically, to an individual gripping implement.
"She lifted the slices of cucumber with a pair of tongs."
A single letter changes a familiar instrument into a word whose everyday form is plural: one normally says tongs, not a tong.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tong come from?
The ordinary English word descends from Old English tange, meaning a gripping implement, and developed through Middle English into the modern forms tong and tongs. It belongs to a Germanic family that includes German Zange, Danish tang, and Swedish tång. The separate sense referring to a Chinese secret society is a transliterated use associated particularly with Cantonese and Hong Kong.
How tong is actually used
In ordinary use, tongs is much more common than the singular tong. The singular can refer to one arm of a gripping tool or, in technical contexts, to an individual implement. The Chinese-society sense is relatively specialized and is most commonly encountered in writing about Hong Kong and organized crime.
Easily confused with tong
A tong is a gripping or lifting implement, whereas a tongue is the organ in the mouth or a projecting part of an object.