congo
|con-go|
🇺🇸
/ˈkɑŋɡoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˈkɒŋɡəʊ/
Central African river/region/country
Etymology
'Congo' originates from Kikongo (a Bantu language), specifically the word 'Kongo', the name of the Kongo people and kingdom.
'Congo' was adopted into Portuguese in the 15th century as 'Congo' from the name of the Kingdom of Kongo, and entered English via Portuguese and later French usage to refer to the river, region, and countries.
Initially it referred to the Kongo people and their kingdom; over time it came to be used for the river, the surrounding region (the Congo Basin), and eventually the modern countries named after the region.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
either of two countries in central Africa: the Republic of the Congo or the Democratic Republic of the Congo; used to refer to one of these countries or to the region generally.
He was offered a job in the congo for two years.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the Congo River, a major river in central Africa that flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Scientists sailed down the congo to study its wetlands.
Synonyms
Noun 3
the Congo Basin or the forested region of central Africa centered on the Congo River, noted for its biodiversity and tropical rainforest.
The congo contains one of the largest tracts of tropical rainforest in the world.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/13 09:20