Definitions for tongs
tɔŋz, tɒŋztongs

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. tongs, pair of tongsnoun

   any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Tongsnoun

   An instrument by which hold is taken of any thing: as of coals in the fire.

   Etymology: tang , Saxon; tang, Dutch.

   Another did the dying brands repair
   With iron tongs, and sprinkled oft the same
   With liquid waves. Fairy Queen, b. ii.

   They turn the glowing mass with crooked tongs;
   The fiery work proceeds. John Dryden, Æn.

   Get a pair of tongs like a smith’s tongs, stronger and toothed. John Mortimer, Husbandry.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Tongs

   Tongs are a type of tool used to grip and lift objects instead of holding them directly with hands. There are many forms of tongs adapted to their specific use. The first pair of tongs belongs to the Egyptians. Tongs likely started off as basic wooden tongs and then over time progressed to bronze bars as early as 3000BC. Over time they progressed to what we now know as modern-day tongs. An Egyptian wall painting from 1450 BCE shows a crucible supported between two metal bars. The same painting shows someone holding a small object over a fire with a tong-like instrument. Bronze loops capable of handling heavy crucibles also happened to appear at this time. Tongs that have long arms terminating in small flat circular ends of tongs and are pivoted at a joint close to the handle used to handle delicate objects. Common fire-tongs, used for picking up pieces of coal and placing them on a fire without burning fingers or getting them dirty are of this type. Tongs for grilling, tongs for serving salad or spaghetti are kitchen utensils of the same type. They provide a way to move, rotate and turn the food with delicate precision, or fetch a full serving in one grab. Tongs consisting of a single band of bent metal, as in sugar tongs, most asparagus tongs (which are no longer common) and the like. Sugar tongs are usually silver, with claw-shaped or spoon-shaped ends for serving lump sugar. Asparagus tongs are usually similar but larger, with a band near the head that limits how far the tongs can expand. Asparagus tongs for serving were introduced in 18th-century England, with smaller versions for eating asparagus appearing in the 19th century. Tongs in which the pivot or joint is placed close to the gripping ends are used to handle hard and heavy objects. Driller's round tongs, blacksmith's tongs or crucible tongs are of this type.Design variations include resting points so that the working end of the tongs does not come into contact with a bench surface.A myth contained in the classical Jewish text Pirkei Avot states that the first pair of tongs were created by God right before God rested on the Seventh Day. The reasoning is that a blacksmith must use a pair of tongs in order to fashion a new pair of tongs. Accordingly, God must have provided humankind with the first pair of tongs.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. tongs

   Tongs are a tool used to grip, lift, or manipulate objects, especially in cooking or blacksmithing. They are typically made of metal and have two long arms connected at one end, usually with a pivot or hinge, which allows them to be opened and closed. One or both ends are often shaped or adapted for specific uses.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. Tongs

   an instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs

WikidataRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Tongs

   Tongs are used for gripping and lifting tools, of which there are many forms adapted to their specific use. Some are merely large pincers or nippers, but the greatest number fall into three classes: ⁕Tongs which have long arms terminating in small flat circular ends of tongs and are pivoted close to the handle, as in the common fire-tongs, used for picking up pieces of coal and placing them on a fire. ⁕Tongs consisting of a single band of metal bent round one or two bands joined at the head by a spring, as in sugar-tongs, asparagus-tongs and the like. ⁕Tongs in which the pivot or joint is placed close to the gripping ends, such as a driller's round tongs, blacksmith's tongs or crucible-tongs. The tongs are the most-used cooking utensil when grilling or barbecuing, as they provide a way to move, rotate and turn the food with delicate precision.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Tongs

   tongz, n.pl. a domestic instrument, consisting of two jointed pieces or shafts of metal, used for lifting. [A.S. tange; Ice. töng, Ger. zange.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. tongs

   A type of device and product created and designed in various colors, materials, mechanism, shapes, sizes and styles..

   We use our kitchen tongs to lift food from the toaster, take food from the wok, toss a salad etc.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on February 9, 2016  

Matched Categories

1. • Device

Anagrams for tongs »

1. stong

How to pronounce tongs?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say tongs in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of tongs in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of tongs in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of tongs in a Sentence

1. Oliver Funnell:

   You could feel the outline of the tongs through the snake.

2. Oliver Funnell:

   There was a chance (he could have regurgitated the tongs) but they were too far in, even dragging them out could have been fatal.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=tongs
2. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=tongs
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongs
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongs
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=tongs
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=tongs