merengue

noun

me·​ren·​gue mə-ˈreŋ-(ˌ)gā How to pronounce merengue (audio)
: a ballroom dance of Haitian and Dominican origin in 2/4 time in which one foot is dragged on every step
also : the music for a merengue

Examples of merengue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An alternative rocker at heart, Ferreira experiments with his ukulele and synthesizer to create an eclectic collection of bachata, merengue, electronic and folk music. Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 There were more than 60 people, all warming up to merengue music for a now-weekly ritual. Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 And their newest club, a spicy salsa and merengue concoction called Salamandra, is one of uptown’s latest hot spots. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2024 Chino y Nacho The Venezuelan pop duo (pictured above) whose mamas named them Jesus and Miguel have been crowned this year’s Carnaval Kings, and will lively up the main stage with their appealing blend of salsa and merengue mixed with reggaeton. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 Uchis effortlessly taps merengue, neo-soul, bossa nova, R&B, and even a bit of urbano on the album from a fresh, distinct perspective. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2024 The Los Angeles band’s songs combine socially and politically aware lyrics with a zesty fusion of hip-hop, merengue, cumbia and other Latin styles. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2023 In the production’s loveliest, lightest touch, Ali, while taking the elevator to her apartment, on the forty-second floor, listens to the sounds of her building every time the doors open—merengue on twenty-seven, jazz trumpet on thirty-two. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023 Latin music meant salsa, bachata and merengue nights, or regional Mexican. Daniela Cintron, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'merengue.' 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

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merengue was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near merengue

Cite this Entry

“Merengue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merengue. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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