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

Another has cilantro chicken, avocado, corn and black bean salsa, and mozzarella. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024

Remove the pits and add the cherries to sweet dishes like peanut butter toast, chia pudding, and cobbler or to savory recipes like garden salads, slaw, salsa, and compote. —Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 3 June 2024

The four-decade old event turns the city’s Old Town into a open kitchen with teams of chefs whipping up their best chilis and salsas … all for bragging rights and to help raise money for local causes. —Heather McRea, Orange County Register, 2 June 2024

The nuptials took place in front of 160 guests and the couple’s first dance was a salsa number choreographed by Bleu’s Dancing with the Stars partner, Karina Smirnoff. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024

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

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