Tongan

noun

Ton·​gan ˈtäŋ-gən How to pronounce Tongan (audio)
also -ən
1
: a member of a Polynesian people of Tonga
2
: the Polynesian language of the Tongans
Tongan adjective

Examples of Tongan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reigns used a toolbox to crush Fatu’s hand and, for a moment, keep the use of the Tongan Death Grip at bay. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 Afterward, Fatu attacked Reigns and laid him out with the Tongan Death Grip. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 Reigns went for a spear but was met by a superkick and the Tongan death grip. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026 Fatu locked in the Tongan Death Grip again as Cole begged for WWE officials to drag him out of the building. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026 Around a decade after the book was published, a remarkably similar disaster occurred involving a group of six Tongan teenagers who crashed onto a deserted island and survived for 15 months until their rescue. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026 Key Points Roman Reigns accepted Jacob Fatu’s challenge at Backlash after Fatu choked him out with the Tongan Death Grip. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 One of the pillars of the Tongan Polynesian culture is to respect your elders. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Tongan was in 1853

Browse Nearby Words

tonga bean
Tongan
Tongarevan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tongan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tongan. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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