to bang
Pronunciation
/ˈbæŋ/

Definition & Meaning of "bang"in English

to bang
01

to accidentally hit or get hit by something that injures or damages a part of one's body

Transitive: to bang a body part on sth | to bang a body part against sth
to bang definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
bang
3rd person singular
bangs
Present participle
banging
Past simple
banged
Past participle
banged
Examples
She banged her knee against the corner of the table, causing a bruise.
02

to hit or place something with considerable force, often resulting in a loud noise

Transitive: to bang one's hand or a tool on sth | to bang one's hand or a tool against sth
to bang definition and meaning
Examples
He banged his fist on the table to emphasize his point during the argument.
03

to create a loud or explosive noise

Intransitive
Examples
The fireworks banged loudly in the night sky, illuminating the darkness with bursts of color.
04

to close something violently or with a loud noise

Complex Transitive: to bang sth [adj]
Examples
The child accidentally banged the cupboard shut, startling everyone in the kitchen.
05

to move around or do something in a noisy or energetic manner

Intransitive
Examples
She banged around the kitchen, trying to find the right ingredients.
06

to engage in sexual intercourse

Slang
Vulgar

What is the origin of the term "bang" and how is it used?

"Bang" is an English slang verb for sexual intercourse that emerged in the early–mid 20th century, derived from the literal sense of a sudden forceful impact. The metaphor emphasizes quickness, force, or blunt physical action rather than intimacy. It became common in informal speech, popular culture, and later tabloid and internet language, often used casually or crudely rather than descriptively. The term is informal and coarse but not highly explicit; it is context-dependent, sounding flippant or vulgar in polite settings but relatively mild in casual or humorous conversation.

Examples
He bragged to his friends that he 'd banged the new girl in class.
07

to inject a drug directly into a vein

Slang

What does "to bang" mean in drug slang?

The phrase "to bang" means to inject a drug directly into a vein, typically referring to intravenous use of substances such as heroin or other opioids and stimulants. The structure is informal slang where "bang" conveys the forceful act of injection. It is commonly used in drug-related contexts and informal speech to describe IV drug use.

Examples
He banged heroin before the party started.
08

(Nigerian) to fail, especially in the context of an exam or test

Slang

What does "to bang" mean in Nigerian slang?

In Nigerian slang, "to bang" means to fail, especially in an exam or test. It is used in informal Nigerian English, particularly in student and campus contexts where academic results are discussed. The term became common in university and secondary school slang, where "banging" an exam implies performing poorly or not passing. It is not a compound word in this sense, but a repurposed English verb used with a completely different local meaning shaped by student culture and exam pressure.

Examples
He banged his math exam last week.
Bang
01

(plural) the front part of someone's hair cut in a way that hangs across their forehead

Dialectamerican flagAmerican
fringebritish flagBritish
bang definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
bangs
02

a sudden very loud noise

03

a vigorous blow

04

a conspicuous success

05

the swift release of a store of affective force

06

an act of sexual intercourse

Dialectamerican flagAmerican
Slang
Vulgar

What is the origin of the term "bang" and how is it used?

"Bang" is a slang term for sexual intercourse that appeared in English in the early 20th century, likely deriving from the onomatopoeic sense of a sudden, forceful impact. The word conveys a sense of physicality and immediacy, emphasizing the act rather than emotion or intimacy. It is widely used in informal speech, popular media, and humor, often casually or sexually explicit. The term is context-dependent: it can be neutral or playful among consenting adults but can be crude or vulgar in formal or polite settings.

Examples
They had a quick bang before the kids woke up.
bang
01

directly

Grammatical Information
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