conga line

American  

[kong-guh lahyn] / ˈkɒŋ gə ˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a conga.

   We finished the night's dancing with a conga line.

2. a line of people dancing the conga.

   The conga line was so long it went from one door to the other.

3. an informal dance, especially of celebration, involving a group following a leader in a single line.

4. a group following a leader in single file.

   They were sent out to scout in a conga line.

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Etymology

Origin of conga line

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

On social media this weekend, Trump applauded a picture of a map showing a conga line of vessels sailing to the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Sometimes, as has been documented in a BBC series narrated by David Attenborough, they swap shells in a conga line, in which each crab puts on a shell discarded by a larger companion.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

"As a Canadian I am saddened, appalled, disgusted and angry that King Charles appears to be joining the conga line of supplicants," said Jo-Ann in Ontario.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2025

And the current majority on the Huntington Beach City Council — Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark and council members Pat Burns, Casey McKeon and Tony Strickland — has joined the conga line.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2024

I stood behind Emma, taking up the rear of our strange little conga line, and we began to plod forward across the wreck toward the lighthouse.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs