conga

noun

con·​ga ˈkäŋ-gə How to pronounce conga (audio)
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

Illustration of conga
  • conga 2

Examples of conga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The three-song set highlights the elegance of live instruments such as a saxophone, trumpets, trombones, conga, and güira with charming musical arrangements, writes Billboard Español‘s Luisa Calle. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 9 Feb. 2024 The bridge rhythmically is almost like a bongo/conga part. Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 19 Jan. 2024 But the setup is novel: there’s a grid of custom, free-standing conga drums, on adjustable-height steel frames, in the center of the room and a line of heavy bags, like boxers use, against a wall of mirrors. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2023 The cells were forming filaments that snaked over the plate like unruly lines of conga dancers. Peter Radetsky, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Percussionist Larry McDonald’s hands and arms fly into a frenzy on the congas, long grey dreads swaying, eyes both fierce and warm. Heather Augustyn, Spin, 10 Oct. 2023 At his signal, the strings went off on a pizzicato run, buoyed by harps and congas, before dissolving into a bass drum pulse beneath simmering horns. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2023 Movement instructor Melisa Valdez will lead a dance class to the conga beats of percussionist Miguel Martinez at lululemon on Newbury Street! Elena Giardina, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023 There were congas and samplers, a couple of world-class rappers (Rakim and Talib Kweli, guesting with the New Orleans brass band the Soul Rebels), and an all-star jazz band that played nothing but their own modern compositions. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'conga.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of conga was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near conga

Cite this Entry

“Conga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conga. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

conga

noun
con·​ga ˈkäŋ-gə How to pronounce conga (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on conga

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!