bongo

1 of 2

noun (1)

bon·​go ˈbäŋ-(ˌ)gō 

ˈbȯŋ-

plural bongos also bongoes

: one of a pair of small connected drums of different sizes and pitches played with the hands

bongoist

ˈbäŋ-ˌgō-ist 

ˈbȯŋ-

noun

bongo

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural bongo or bongos

: an African antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus synonym Boocerus euryceros) that is chestnut red with narrow white vertical stripes and is found in forests from Sierra Leone to Kenya

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

American Spanish bongó

Noun (2)

probably from Kele (Bantu language of Gabon)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1920, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1861, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bongo

noun

bon·​go

ˈbäŋ-gō

plural bongos also bongoes

: either of a pair of small drums of different sizes fitted together and played with the fingers