pair of tongs vs tongs

pair of tongs and tongs both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pair of tongs	Yes	No	No	No
tongs	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, pair of tongs and tongs are synonyms defined as:

pair of tongs and tongs: any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below

pair of tongs (noun)	tongs (noun)
any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below	any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below