tonga

¹

[ tong-guh ]

noun

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

Tonga

²

[ tong-guh ]

noun

1. 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). : Nukualofa.

tonga

¹

/ ˈtɒŋɡə /

noun

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

Tonga

²

/ ˈtɒŋɡə; ˈtɒŋə /

noun

1. 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 calledFriendly Islands

Tonga

³

/ ˈtɒŋə; ˈtɒŋɡə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonga¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tonga¹

C19: from Hindi tāngā

Example Sentences

The aftermath’s tsunami waves crashed into the archipelagic nation of Tonga.

From Popular-Science

It’s also likely that with a massive eruption such as this one, the movement of the seabed would have caused a fissure in any secondary cable, even if it was laid on the other side of Tonga.

From MIT Technology Review

Officials in Tonga confirmed three deaths in the country's first official statement since the crisis began.

From Axios

China and the autonomous island of Taiwan said in separate statements that they are ready to provide assistance at Tonga's request.

From TechCrunch

Significant damage has been reported in Tonga following an undersea volcanic eruption on Saturday, which covered the Pacific nation in ash and cut off communication lines.

From Axios

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The Indians believe that by drinking the tonga they are brought into communication with the spirits of their forefathers.

From Project Gutenberg

Now and then our crew of clean-limbed Tonga boys rested on their oars, with timid, limpid gaze turned askance.

From Project Gutenberg

Four days later a seat was booked for Kim and his small trunk at the rear of a Kalka tonga.

From Project Gutenberg