in U.S. history
: a dance that was accompanied by complex rhythmic hand clapping and slapping of the knees and thighs and that was performed on plantations in the southern U.S. by enslaved Black people
also
: the style of rhythmic accompaniment used for this dance
Examples of juba in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One unintended upshot of banning drums was the development of body percussion: juba, hambone, tap dance, stepping.
—
Brian Seibert, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2020
Clapping and thigh slapping recall juba dancing, and a circle dance suggests the rudimentary moves of the Afro-Brazilian martial arts form capoeira.
—Karen Campbell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2018
Brian Seibert, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2020
Clapping and thigh slapping recall juba dancing, and a circle dance suggests the rudimentary moves of the Afro-Brazilian martial arts form capoeira.
—Karen Campbell, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'juba.' 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
origin unknown
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near juba
Cite this Entry
“Juba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juba. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Geographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on juba
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about juba
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