/ tɒŋz; NAmE tɑːŋz; tɔːŋz/ noun [ pl. ]
1.
a tool with two long parts that are joined at one end, used for picking up and holding things :
a pair of tongs
—picture at laboratory , scissors
2.
(also ˈcurling tongs ) (both BrE ) ( NAmE curling iron ) a tool that is heated and used for curling hair
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IDIOMS
see hammer noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English tang(e ) (singular), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tang and German Zange .