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 accordion and percussive instruments like bongos, congas, timbales, cowbells and shakers form reggaeton beats and dancey tempos. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025

Backing the nonchalant trio were multiple percussionists on wind chimes, congas, shakers, and more, as well as backup singers, a bassist, and an additional guitarist. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2025

The school had a surplus of some items — like dozens of conga drums found in an instrument inventory, still wrapped in plastic — and a shortage of others, like student textbooks. —Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025

The rhythmic sound of conga drums echoed throughout the auditorium of the St. Marks’s Hope and Peace Lutheran Church at 3800 Troost Ave., where the Saturday session was held. —Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025

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