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

That garden spawned an annual salsa competition, in which club employees harvest their own ingredients from the planters, make salsa at home, and bring it back to be judged. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Set out a big bowl of Texas caviar at your next pool party or barbecue, and serve it with tortilla chips, just like a standard salsa. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026

Over more than five decades, Blades has been one of the most influential voices in Latin music, contributing to the redefinition of salsa through a unique combination of musical innovation and powerful storytelling. — Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026

Heat the tortillas on the grill until warmed through and serve with the fajitas, along with the salsa and guacamole. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 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

Phrases Containing salsa

• salsa verde

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