In what context?
Both could be correct - the first would need quotes What is 'ping'? That's a more verbal question.
The second one would need a specific context, as you are using 'the'.
Normally, if you are asking for a meaning, and you don't know if it is a verb or a noun, you would ask. What does 'ping' mean?
If you know it is a thing, i.e. a noun, you could also ask 'What is a ping?'