Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

bamba

noun, often capitalized
bam·​ba | \ ˈbämbə\
plural -s

Definition of bamba

: a foot-tapping couple dance deriving from one of the huapangos of Mexico and danced in ballrooms of the U.S.

— called also la bamba

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for bamba

American Spanish

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bamba

Dictionary Entries near bamba

BAM

bamah

Bamako

bamba

Bambara

Bambari

Bambarra groundnut

Statistics for bamba

Look-up Popularity

Comments on bamba

What made you want to look up bamba? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

cogent

Listen to the pronounciation of cogent

appealing forcibly to the mind or reason

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games