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) that is chestnut red with narrow white vertical stripes and is found in forests from Sierra Leone to Kenya

Examples of bongo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Dressed in an all-black suit and sunglasses, the Fallout star joined the band on bongos, reprising his role in the song’s music video. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2026

Walton Goggins, who starred in the song’s music video, joined in on bongo drums. — William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026

The grounds have zebras, water buffalo, bongos, wildebeests, giraffes, emus and more – see a full list of animals here. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Not much helping is Tom Hodge’s score, the percussive thrust of which sounds mostly driven by bongoes. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for bongo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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