conga

noun

con·​ga ˈkäŋ-gə 

1

: a Cuban dance of African origin involving three steps followed by a kick and performed by a group usually in single file

2

: a tall barrel-shaped or tapering drum of Afro-Cuban origin that is played with the hands

Illustration of conga

• conga 2

Examples of conga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The performers manipulate five batteries of drums, including timpani, snares, congas, bongos, tom-toms, and bass drums. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

Arnaz played Manuelito Lynch, one of the hunks who also happened to sing and beat the conga drum. —Raj Tawney, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2024

And there’s a huge Congolese heritage in Cuba that became the conga that led to the cha-cha-cha that then came back. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Sep. 2024

Collins was mortified; the conga player was rubbish. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, probably from feminine of congo black person, from Congo, region in Africa

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing conga

• conga line

Kids Definition

conga

noun

con·​ga ˈkäŋ-gə 

1

: a Cuban dance of African origin performed by a group usually in single file

2

: a tall narrow drum that is played with the hands