gong

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A rimmed metal disk that produces a loud, sonorous tone when struck with a padded mallet.
2. n. A usually saucer-shaped bell that is struck with a mechanically operated hammer.
3. v. To make the sound of a gong.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. An obsolete form of gang.
2. n. A musical instrument, of Asiatic origin, consisting of a large shallow metallic bowl, made of an alloy of copper and tin, which is struck with a stick having a stuffed leather head. The tone produced is composite, and useful only for emphasis or for an overpowering noise; and the gong has been much used as an instrument of call where a far-reaching sound is required, as in hotels and steamboats. Also called gong-gong.
3. n. A stationary bell in the form of a shallow bowl, which is struck with a hammer.

Wiktionary

1. n. A percussion instrument consisting of a metal disk that emits a sonorous sound when struck with a soft hammer.
2. n. A medal or award.
3. v. To make the sound of a gong; to ring a gong.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A privy or jakes.
2. n. An instrument, first used in the East, made of an alloy of copper and tin, shaped like a disk with upturned rim, and producing, when struck, a harsh and resounding noise.
3. n. A flat saucerlike bell, rung by striking it with a small hammer which is connected with it by various mechanical devices; a stationary bell, used to sound calls or alarms; -- called also gong bell.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
2. n. a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument
3. v. sound a gong