salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

ˈsäl-

1

: a usually spicy sauce of chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers that is commonly served with Mexican food

also : a similar sauce made with a main ingredient other than tomatoes

peach salsa

2

: popular music of Latin American origin that has absorbed characteristics of rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock

Examples of salsa in a Sentence

The band was playing salsa.

We're taking classes in salsa.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rocking chairs and family photos set off what is plenty of space for a party; this summer, Ron del Barrilito has offered complimentary salsa classes on the weekends for visitors, just in time for the island's surge in tourism thanks in large part to the Bad Bunny’s 30-concert residency. —Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

To eat, there are carne asada or mushroom empanadas ($8 each), mahi mahi skewers with mango habanero salsa ($20), buffalo meatballs ($16) or seabass ceviche and yucca chips ($18) – plus rosemary truffle fries ($9). —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

Slice and serve with fresh salsa for extra vitamin C, lycopene, and hydration from the tomatoes. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025

Gomez also hopes to host events in the space — think salsa nights. —Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, sauce, from Latin, feminine of salsus salted — more at sauce

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for salsa

• balsa
• khalsa

Kids Definition

salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

ˈsäl-

1

: a spicy sauce of tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers

2

: popular Latin American music with elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock