ETYM Probably of imitative origin.
A sharp high-pitched metallic sound.

River 360 miles (579 kilometers) W Thailand flowing sse to join Nan River forming the Chao Phraya

1. Acronym for Packet Internet Groper. A protocol for testing whether a particular computer is connected to the Internet by sending a packet to its IP address and waiting for a response. The name actually comes from submarine active sonar, where a sound signal—called a “ping”—is broadcast, and surrounding objects are revealed by their reflections of the sound.
2. A UNIX utility that implements the ping protocol. A utility that verifies the integrity of a network connection.

1. To hit with a pinging noise
2. To make a short high-pitched sound, as of a bullet striking metal.
3. Said of car engines: to make a pinging noise when spark plugs fire too early; SYN. knock.

1. To test whether a computer is connected to the Internet using the ping utility.
2. To test which users on a mailing list are current by sending e-mail to the list asking for a response.