Illustration of polonaise
- polonaise 1
polonaise
noun
po·lo·naise
ˌpä-lə-ˈnāz 
ˌpō-
1
: an elaborate short-sleeved overdress with a fitted waist and a draped cutaway overskirt
2
a
: a stately Polish processional dance popular in 19th century Europe
b
: music for this dance in moderate ³/₄ time
Examples of polonaise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Founded in the 13th century, the historic center was left almost entirely to ruin after World War II, but now Poland’s capital city is buzzing with energy and singing a more progressive tune, far from the polonaise.
—
Kasia Dietz,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Next came the ever-important petticoat, an underskirt which was often purposely exposed when worn with a robe à la polonaise—more on that later.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 Feb. 2026
The waltz and polonaise patterns for a courtly ensemble are serene — and, due to the repetitive nature of Tchaikovsky’s third symphony, sometimes a tad dull.
—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
Chopin's major piano works include mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, the instrumental ballade (which Chopin created as an instrumental genre), études, impromptus, scherzi, preludes, and sonatas, some published only posthumously.
—
New Atlas,
9 June 2025
The president, accompanied by other distinguished guests, was all smiles, dancing a polonaise, shaking hands and posing for pictures with festive participants.
—
Danuta Hamlin,
Fox News,
7 Oct. 2023
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Kasia Dietz,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2026
Next came the ever-important petticoat, an underskirt which was often purposely exposed when worn with a robe à la polonaise—more on that later.
—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
14 Feb. 2026
The waltz and polonaise patterns for a courtly ensemble are serene — and, due to the repetitive nature of Tchaikovsky’s third symphony, sometimes a tad dull.
—
Rachel Howard,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
Chopin's major piano works include mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, the instrumental ballade (which Chopin created as an instrumental genre), études, impromptus, scherzi, preludes, and sonatas, some published only posthumously.
—
New Atlas,
9 June 2025
The president, accompanied by other distinguished guests, was all smiles, dancing a polonaise, shaking hands and posing for pictures with festive participants.
—
Danuta Hamlin,
Fox News,
7 Oct. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Polonaise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polonaise. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polonaise
noun
po·lo·naise
ˌpäl-ə-ˈnāz
ˌpō-lə-
: a dignified 19th century Polish dance
Etymology
from French polonaise "a fancy woman's dress or gown," literally, "a Polish gown," from polonaise (adjective), feminine form of polonais "Polish"
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