1860–65; probably < a Bantu language; compare Lingala mongu an antelope
An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; from Latin American Spanish (Puerto Rico) bongó
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The song boasts Grupo Frontera’s traditional norteño sound, with the addition of their signature bongo of course.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025
In snippets from the Season 2 trailer, we see Misty dressed in purple, banging on a bongo alongside a bunch of Lottie's followers.
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2023
Broken bongo drums were also found in the apartment.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2022
He joyfully played a bongo drum and danced with performers at an event with union leaders.
From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2021
It looked like a giant bongo drum with a screw-off top and a spigot at the bottom.
From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
