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

Over the 18 courses, diners will move from a welcome drink to a cold counter, for raw delicacies, to the hot counter, which will serve up dishes like tamal de mar, which includes Hokkaido uni, salsa verde de quelites, hoja santa chlorophyll, and jocoque. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2026

Tacos, which include grouper and coconut shrimp, come with pineapple slaw, black bean and corn salsa, and chips. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

My favorites include the steak, potato, and green bean plate; salmon with mango salsa; and the chicken enchiladas. —Self Staff, SELF, 9 Jan. 2026

For appetizers, diners can order either oyster shooters with salsa or shrimp crostini. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026

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