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.
Lucy Francom, 26, began training Bongo when she got him about four years ago because he followed her everywhere.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
On Tuesday night, Sylvia Bongo and Noureddin Bongo were found guilty of embezzlement and corruption after a trial that began a day earlier in their absence.
From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025
"We are not opposed to the idea of being held accountable for so-called acts we may have committed," Bongo insisted.
From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025
He had succeeded his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled with an iron fist for nearly 42 years until his death in 2009.
From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025
“No way,” Bongo said, by way of an answer.
From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate
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.
