tonga

[tong-guh]

See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com

noun

a light, two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle used in India.

Origin of tonga

First recorded in 1870–75, tonga is from the Hindi word tāṅgā

Tonga¹

[tong-guh]

noun

a Polynesian kingdom consisting of three groups of islands in the S Pacific, NE of New Zealand: a former British protectorate. About 270 sq. mi. (700 sq. km). Capital: Nukualofa.

Also called Tonga Islands, Friendly Islands.

Tonga²

[tong-guh]

noun

Tsonga.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for tonga

Contemporary Examples

The following message was sent by The Queen to the new King of Tonga, Tupou VI.
Royal Condolences to the King of Tonga
Tom Sykes
March 23, 2012
These batter-fried treats are served in fine restaurants and humble homes alike throughout Tonga.
What to Eat
Cookstr.com
July 28, 2009

Historical Examples

Then, when the barque was off the Tonga Islands, a large "pod" of whales were sighted.
John Frewen, South Sea Whaler
Louis Becke
Leaving this island, they steered for Amsterdam or Tonga Taboo.
Notable Voyagers
W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith
The people, Bent tells me, are very like those of the Tonga group.
The Cruise of the Mary Rose
William H. G. Kingston
Now-a-days they are better known by the native name of Tonga.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers
Jules Verne
As large as Tonga Tabou, it is higher, and not wanting in fresh water.
Celebrated Travels and Travellers
Jules Verne

British Dictionary definitions for tonga

tonga

noun

a light two-wheeled vehicle used in rural areas of India

Word Origin

C19: from Hindi tāngā

Tonga¹

noun

plural -gas or -ga a member of a Negroid people of S central Africa, living chiefly in Zambia and Zimbabwe
the language of this people, belonging to the Bantu group of the Niger-Congo family

Tonga²

noun

a kingdom occupying an archipelago of more than 150 volcanic and coral islands in the SW Pacific, east of Fiji: inhabited by Polynesians; became a British protectorate in 1900 and gained independence in 1970; a member of the Commonwealth. Official languages: Tongan and English. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: pa'anga. Capital: Nuku'alofa. Pop: 106 322 (2013 est). Area: 750 sq km (290 sq miles)Also called: Friendly Islands

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tonga

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Tonga2

Examples from the Web for tonga

Contemporary Examples

The following message was sent by The Queen to the new King of Tonga, Tupou VI.

These batter-fried treats are served in fine restaurants and humble homes alike throughout Tonga.

Historical Examples

Then, when the barque was off the Tonga Islands, a large "pod" of whales were sighted.

Leaving this island, they steered for Amsterdam or Tonga Taboo.

The people, Bent tells me, are very like those of the Tonga group.

Now-a-days they are better known by the native name of Tonga.

As large as Tonga Tabou, it is higher, and not wanting in fresh water.

tonga

Word Origin

Tonga1

Tonga2

Origin of tonga

Tonga¹

Tonga²

Tonga¹

Tonga²