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

The hippo features a revolving bottle rack, glass storage, ice bucket, and serving tray, from which its previous owner reportedly served chips and salsa. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Native tepary beans are cooked perfectly al dente with carrots and nopales and garnished with red chile sauce and salsa verde. —Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025

This Traverse City brand makes small batches of everything from preserves to a variety of salsa. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Pour 2/3 cup of the salsa verde over top. —Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 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