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

They can be mixed into sauces and salads, added to sandwiches and pizza, or blended into dips and salsas. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Her big break came in 1950, when she was called in to replace the lead singer of the legendary La Sonora Matancera, arguably the best salsa band of all time. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 23 Apr. 2025

Feel the beat and reconnect with nature The Miami Beach Bandshell, New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet and Miami New Drama at The Colony Theater host a wide range of live performances ranging from dance and theater to classical music, Latin rhythms and salsa, contemporary dance and ballet. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Programming runs the gamut, from a celebration of Black excellence in San Diego and women-focused wine tasting to salsa dance lessons. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 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