habanera

noun

ha·​ba·​ne·​ra ˌ(h)ä-bə-ˈner-ə How to pronounce habanera (audio)
1
: a Cuban dance in slow duple time
2
: the music for the habanera

Examples of habanera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Carmen long ago sang the habanera and drew her last breath, Aladdin has rolled up his magic carpet until next time. Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 12 July 2018 The acts represent various Catalan musical traditions, including Catalan rumba, which is derived from flamenco music, and habanera, a form that curators say is experiencing a revival after years of decline. Max Kutner, Smithsonian, 27 June 2018 The music in tango, inspired by African candombe dance, Cuban habanera and Spanish guitars, later evolved to include violins, the accordion, piano, bass, and flute. Kristin Braswell, ELLE Decor, 19 Mar. 2018 Sullivan Fortner, from New Orleans, and Chano Domínguez, from Spain, both played habaneras beautifully. Brian Seibert, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'habanera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish (danza) habanera, literally, Havanan dance

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habanera was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near habanera

Cite this Entry

“Habanera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habanera. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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