ping
Submarine's listening tone
Ping is a short, high-pitched sound—the noise of a small bell, a metal object struck, or a microwave announcing it's finished.
In computing, a ping tests whether a server is reachable: I'll ping the server to check if it's down.
More broadly, to ping someone is to send a quick message or check in: Ping me when you're free.
The word captures brief, attention-getting contact.
Brief metallic sound
- dingSmall surface imperfection
- chimeMelodic bell sound
- tinkLight ringing noise
- blipMomentary signal flash
beep · ring · tone · metallic · sharp · high-pitched · ricochet · sonar
Delay in system response
- packetSmall sealed container
- serverOne who attends tables
- responseAnswer to stimulus
- IP addressDevice's unique network number
round-trip · milliseconds · timeout · traceroute · hostname · connectivity · router · firewall
Reflected sound wave
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- depthDistance below surface
- underwaterBelow the surface
- echolocationNavigation through reflected sound
radar · detection · navigation · pulse · return · reflection · locate · distance
Formal notice given
- messageTransmitted communication
- textWritten or printed words
- reminderMemory aid
- buzzContinuous low drone
vibration · push notification · inbox · update · DM · mention · nudge · prompt
Initiate communication with someone
- check inConfirm your arrival
- messageTransmitted communication
- touch baseCommunicate briefly to update
- get back toResume communication with
follow up · call · text · write · buzz · hit up · drop a line · send word
plink
Brief metallic sound
blip · beep · ring · tone · metallic · sharp · high-pitched · ricochet · sonar · submarine
latency
Delay in system response
IP address · round-trip · milliseconds · timeout · traceroute · hostname · connectivity · router · firewall · port
echo
Reflected sound wave
- submarineUnderwater naval craft
- depthDistance below surface
- underwaterBelow the surface
echolocation · radar · detection · navigation · pulse · return · reflection · locate · distance · sweep
notification
Formal notice given
buzz · vibration · push notification · inbox · update · DM · mention · nudge · prompt · attention
reach out
Initiate communication with someone
- check inConfirm your arrival
- messageTransmitted communication
- touch baseCommunicate briefly to update
get back to · follow up · call · text · write · buzz · hit up · drop a line · send word · connect
- soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear
- networksnetwork traffic, network security, MAN, PAN, cloud computing
- alert soundsalarm, beep, buzzer, chime, doorbell
- delaysdelays, delay, delayed, postponement, postpone
- digital soundsbeep, chime, ding, notification, ringtone
- home alertsalarm, beep, buzzer, chime, doorbell
pingtimeout
Brief suspension of play
no response · packet loss · unreachable · dropped connection · dead link
- ping pongMiniature tennis indoors
- rolling pinTool for flattening dough
- pin the tail on the donkeyBlindfolded targeting game
- pin downFix precisely or immobilize
- safety pinSelf-shielding wire clasp
- bobby pinSmall hair-securing clip