ding-dong

[ ding-dawng, -dong ]

/ ˈdɪŋˌdɔŋ, -ˌdɒŋ /

the sound of a bell.

any similar sound of repeated strokes.

Slang. ding-a-ling.

characterized by or resembling the sound of a bell.

marked by rapid alternation of retaliatory action: a ding-dong struggle.

Origin of ding-dong

1550–60; gradational compound based on ding, apparently blend of din¹ and ring²

dinette, ding, ding an sich, ding ling, ding-a-ling, ding-dong, dingaan, dingbat, dingbats, dinge, dinger

ding-dong

the sound of a bell or bells, esp two bells tuned a fourth or fifth apart

an imitation or representation of the sound of a bell

sounding or ringing repeatedly

C16: of imitative origin; see ding 1