1. Plural of hong; foreign trading establishments or warehouses in China, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to specific establishments in Canton (Guangzhou)
2. In some East Asian contexts, large commercial houses or business establishments.
Usage: regional; less common in modern English

Examples

• The British merchants operated out of the hongs in Canton during the Qing Dynasty.
• European traders established their hongs along the Chinese coast to facilitate commerce.
• The hongs served as both residences and business centers for foreign merchants.
• By the 19th century, the hongs had become centers of international trade.
• The architecture of the old hongs reflected a blend of European and Chinese styles.