Ping vs. Pin — What's the Difference?

A method used to test the reachability of a host on an IP network, measuring response time.

A tool in software that allows users to keep a window, tab, or post easily accessible.

The act of sending a packet to a network address and waiting for an echo response.

A device or feature for personal identification or security, such as a PIN code.

A signal sent across a network to check the presence or condition of a device.

A small, slender piece of metal used for securing or attaching things.

A technique to measure the latency between computers on a network.

A digital feature to highlight or prioritize content on social media platforms.

A diagnostic tool for network administrators.

A method to temporarily hold pieces of fabric together.

(Informal) To reach out to (someone), as by text message or email, to establish or maintain communication

A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material together, and can have three sorts of body: a shaft of a rigid inflexible material meant to be inserted in a slot, groove, or hole (as with pivots, hinges, and jigs); a shaft connected to a head and ending in a sharp tip meant to pierce one or more pieces of soft materials like cloth or paper (the straight or push pin); a single strip of a rigid but flexible material (e.g. a wire) whose length has been folded into parallel prongs in such fashion that the middle length of each curves towards the other so that, when anything is inserted between them, they act as a clamp (e.g.

An email or other message sent requesting acknowledgement.

An identifying number allocated to an individual by a bank or other organization and used for validating electronic transactions.

A sharp, high-pitched sound, as that made by a bullet striking metal.

Attach or fasten with a pin or pins

A protocol that sends a message to another computer and waits for acknowledgment, often used to check if another computer on a network is reachable.

Hold (someone) firmly in a specified position so they are unable to move

See knock.

Hinder or prevent (a piece or pawn) from moving because of the danger to a more valuable piece standing behind it along the line of an attack

To make a sharp, high-pitched, metallic sound.

A short, straight, stiff piece of wire with a blunt head and a sharp point, used especially for fastening.

To test the connectivity of (a computer) to a network by using the ping protocol

Something, such as a safety pin, that resembles such a piece of wire in shape or use.

A high-pitched, short and somewhat sharp sound.

A whit; a jot

(submarine navigation) A pulse of high-pitched or ultrasonic sound whose echoes provide information about nearby objects and vessels.

A thin rod for securing the ends of fractured bones.

(networking) A packet which a remote host is expected to echo, thus indicating its presence.

A peg for fixing the crown to the root of a tooth.

(networking) Latency.

A cotter pin.

(video games) A means of highlighting a feature on the game map so that allied players can see it.

The part of a key stem entering a lock.

(WMF jargon) A notification.

(Music) One of the pegs securing the strings and regulating their tension on a stringed instrument.

To make a high-pitched, short and somewhat sharp sound.

(Nautical) A belaying pin.

(submarine navigation) To emit a signal and then listen for its echo in order to detect objects.

(Nautical) A thole pin.

(networking) To send a packet in order to determine whether a host is present, particularly by use of the ping utility.

An ornament fastened to clothing by means of a clasp.

(by extension) To send an email or other message to someone in hopes of eliciting a response.

A rolling pin.

(colloquial) To flick.

One of the wooden clubs at which the ball is aimed in bowling.

To bounce.

A flagstick.

To cause something to bounce.

See fall.

To call out audibly.

Pins(Informal) The legs

To penalize.

(Electronics) A lead on a device that plugs into a socket to connect the device to a system.

The sound made by a bullet in striking a solid object or in passing through the air.

Any of the pegs on the platen of a printer, which engage holes at the edges of paper.

To make the sound called ping.

Any of the styluses that form a dot matrix on a printer.

A river in western Thailand; a major tributary of the Chao Phraya

Any of the small metal prongs at the end of a connector that fit into the holes in a port.

A sharp high-pitched resonant sound (as of a sonar echo or a bullet striking metal)

To fasten or secure with or as if with a pin or pins.

Hit with a pinging noise;

To transfix.

Sound like a car engine that is firing too early;

To place in a position of trusting dependence

Make a short high-pitched sound;

To hold fast; immobilize

Contact, usually in order to remind of something;

(Sports) To win a fall from in wrestling.

Send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active;

To give (a woman) a fraternity pin in token of attachment.

Having a grain suggestive of the heads of pins. Used of leather.

A needle without an eye (usually) made of drawn-out steel wire with one end sharpened and the other flattened or rounded into a head, used for fastening.

A small nail with a head and a sharp point.

A cylinder often of wood or metal used to fasten or as a bearing between two parts.

The victory condition of holding the opponent's shoulders on the wrestling mat for a prescribed period of time.

A slender object specially designed for use in a specific game or sport, such as skittles or bowling.

A leg.

(electricity) Any of the individual connecting elements of a multipole electrical connector.

A piece of jewellery that is attached to clothing with a pin.

(US) A simple accessory that can be attached to clothing with a pin or fastener, often round and bearing a design, logo or message, and used for decoration, identification or to show political affiliation, etc.

(chess) Either a scenario in which moving a lesser piece to escape from attack would expose a more valuable piece to being taken instead, or one where moving a piece is impossible as it would place the king in check.

(golf) The flagstick: the flag-bearing pole which marks the location of a hole

(curling) The spot at the exact centre of the house (the target area)

(archery) The spot at the exact centre of the target, originally a literal pin that fastened the target in place.

(obsolete) A mood, a state of being.

One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each person should drink.

Caligo.

A thing of small value; a trifle.

A peg in musical instruments for increasing or relaxing the tension of the strings.

(engineering) A short shaft, sometimes forming a bolt, a part of which serves as a journal.

The tenon of a dovetail joint.

A size of brewery cask, equal to half a firkin, or eighth of a barrel.

(informal) A pinball machine.

(locksmithing) A small cylindrical object which blocks the rotation of a pin-tumbler lock when the incorrect key is inserted.

(often followed by a preposition such as "to" or "on") To fasten or attach (something) with a pin.

To cause (a piece) to be in a pin.

(wrestling) To pin down (someone).

To enclose; to confine; to pen; to pound.

To attach (an icon, application, message etc.) to another item so that it persists.

To fix (an array in memory, a security certificate, etc.) so that it cannot be modified.

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(transitive) To cause an analog gauge to reach the stop pin at the high end of the range.

To peen.

To inclose; to confine; to pen; to pound.

To fasten with, or as with, a pin; to join; as, to pin a garment; to pin boards together.

A piece of wood, metal, etc., generally cylindrical, used for fastening separate articles together, or as a support by which one article may be suspended from another; a peg; a bolt.

Especially, a small, pointed and headed piece of brass or other wire (commonly tinned), largely used for fastening clothes, attaching papers, etc.

Hence, a thing of small value; a trifle.

That which resembles a pin in its form or use

One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking cup to mark how much each man should drink.

The bull's eye, or center, of a target; hence, the center.

Mood; humor.

Caligo. See Caligo.

An ornament, as a brooch or badge, fastened to the clothing by a pin; as, a Masonic pin.

The leg; as, to knock one off his pins.

A piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment

When a wrestler's shoulders are forced to the mat

Small markers inserted into a surface to mark scores or define locations etc.

A number you choose and use to gain access to various accounts

Informal terms of the leg;

Axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns

Cylindrical tumblers consisting of two parts that are held in place by springs; when they are aligned with a key the bolt can be thrown

Flagpole used to mark the position of the hole on a golf green

A small slender (often pointed) piece of wood or metal used to support or fasten or attach things

A holder attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing

A club-shaped wooden object used in bowling; set up in groups as a target

To hold fast or prevent from moving;

Attach or fasten with pins

Pierce with a pin;

Immobilize a piece

Ping is used to test the reachability of a host on an IP network and measure the round-trip time for messages sent from the originating host to a destination computer.

While Ping measures latency (the time it takes for data to travel to and from a destination), it does not directly measure internet speed (bandwidth), but high latency can indicate a slower connection.

Ping uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) to send echo request messages to a target host and waits for an echo reply, measuring the time taken for the round trip.

To pin something digitally means to mark or secure a digital item, like a post or tab, so it remains visible and easily accessible despite new content or changes.

Pinning in digital applications helps users keep important or frequently used information or features readily accessible, enhancing usability and efficiency.

Most social media platforms and many software applications offer pinning capabilities, but the availability and functionality can vary.

Physical pins can be made from metal, plastic, or wood, depending on their purpose, such as sewing pins, safety pins, or push pins.

Digital pinning itself does not affect security, but the content that is pinned, such as secure or personal information, should be managed carefully.

Yes, anyone with basic network tools on their computer or device can use Ping, but interpreting the results may require some technical knowledge.

You can ping a server or device by opening a command prompt or terminal and using the ping command followed by the IP address or domain name of the server/device.

Limits on pinning items vary by platform or application; some may allow only one pinned item at a time, while others may allow multiple.