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

Krosnick got to know O’Connell, a prolific recording artist and composer who made his reputation playing with Cuban conga great Mongo Santamaria, when he was asked to put a band together for a party in New York City in 2023. — Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

High in the stands, Prince William could be seen leading the conga. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Drums and congas came to the fore whenever the band seemed in danger of breaking down. — Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026

The conservatory cannot accept pianos, organs, kazoos, recorders, hand drums, cajons, frame drums, congas or bongos this year. — Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for conga

• longa
• sanga

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