n., v., & adv.
--n.
1. a a loud short sound. b an explosion. c the report of a gun.
2 a a sharp blow. b the sound of this.
3 esp. US a fringe of hair cut straight across the forehead.
4 coarse sl. an act of sexual intercourse.
5 sl. a drug injection (cf. BHANG).
--v.
1. tr. & intr. strike or shut noisily (banged the door shut; banged on the table).
2 tr. & intr. make or cause to make the sound of a blow or an explosion.
3 tr. esp. US cut (hair) in a bang.
4 coarse sl. a intr. have sexual intercourse. b tr. have sexual intercourse with.
--adv.
1. with a bang or sudden impact.
2 colloq. exactly (bang in the middle).
Phrases and idioms:
bang off Brit. sl. immediately. bang on Brit. colloq. exactly right. bang-up US sl. first-class, excellent (esp. bang-up job). go bang
1. (of a door etc.) shut noisily.
2 explode.
3 colloq. be suddenly destroyed (bang went their chances). go with a bang go successfully.
Etymology: 16th c.: perh. f. Scand.