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

His music, holding a foot in the future and the past, is homage to Puerto Rican traditions, heavy on salsa, with notes of hip hop, big band, indie rock and reggaeton. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

The audience roared and cheered as Bad Bunny dance-narrated his way through a slew of scenarios and cities, surrounded by exuberant dancers who moved between salsa and reggeton rhythms. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026

Instacart data shows sharp pre-game jumps in purchases of Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, salsa and queso, with chips close behind — proof that bold, shareable flavors continue to define Super Bowl Sunday spreads. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026

Tego Calderón, rapper and producer Héctor el Father, salsa orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and Latin pop icon Ricky Martin. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 8 Feb. 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