bongo
noun
a reddish-brown antelope, Taurotragus eurycerus, of the forests of tropical Africa, having white stripes and large, spirally twisted horns.
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bongo
1 American
[bong-goh, bawng-]
/ ˈbɒŋ goʊ, ˈbɔŋ- /
noun
-
bongos,
plural
-
bongo
plural
bongo
2
American
[bong-goh, bawng-]
/ ˈbɒŋ goʊ, ˈbɔŋ- /
noun
-
bongos,
plural
-
bongoes
plural
Bongo
1
British
/ ˈbɒŋɡəʊ /
noun
bongo
2
British
/ ˈbɒŋɡəʊ /
noun
bongo
3
British
/ ˈbɒŋɡəʊ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of bongo1
1860–65; probably < a Bantu language; compare Lingala mongu an antelope
Origin of bongo2
An Americanism dating back to 1915–20; from Latin American Spanish (Puerto Rico) bongó
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
On 16 October 2024, first-time mum Othaya welcomed her male bongo calf as part of an endangered species programme run by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2024
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
He joyfully played a bongo drum and danced with performers at an event with union leaders.
From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2021
Their instruments include an accordion, a bass guitar, a tuba, and bongo drums.
From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate
Lucy Francom, 26, began training Bongo when she got him about four years ago because he followed her everywhere.
From BBC ● Apr. 5, 2026
Niger state governor Mohammed Umaru Bongo announced on Saturday that all schools in the area would close, warning that was "not a time for blame game".
From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2025
Ex-president Ali Bongo was toppled in a coup on August 30, 2023, which brought General Brice Oligui Nguema to power.
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
“Tree humor,” I explained, just in case Bongo had missed it, although of course she hadn’t.
From "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate
Settles-Bey sways to the rhythm of the bongos on a recent Sunday in the park -- but nerves are still frayed.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
KWS director-general Erustus Kanga described Tuesday's arrival of the bongos as a "moment of hope, responsibility, and renewed commitment to securing the future of one of the world's rarest large mammals".
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026
He was equally compelling on acoustic guitar for Jane’s trademark lyrically and musically poignant true tale “Jane Says,” backed by bongos and steel drums.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2024
The music seemed to levitate with the centrifugal force of rampaging bongos.
From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2023
All these people with bongos were gathering in the sand straight down the way from us, and this beat started growing, making this hypnotic rhythm.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
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.
