capoeira

play

noun ca·po·ei·ra \ ˌkä-pə-ˈwā-rə , ˌkäp-ˈwā- \

Definition of capoeira

:a Brazilian dance of African origin that incorporates martial arts movements such as kicks and chops

Recent Examples of capoeira from the Web

Past editions have included tap-capoeira fusions, statements of political protest and digital experiments with sound.

— siobhan burke, New York Times, "Dance in NYC This Week," 30 Mar. 2017
A team of 600 coaches and staff will lead dance, capoeira, football and more at community sports centers — some of which have been renovated by Nike — with a goal of impacting 50,000 youth over the next five years.

— karen orton, New York Times, "Fashion, Food and Fitness Greats Give Back to Rio," 16 Aug. 2016
Most nights there's an impromptu soccer game or capoeira (Bahian martial arts) match, made all the more captivating by the balmy night air.

— deborah dunn, Town & Country, "The Ultimate Guide to Brazil," 29 Apr. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'capoeira.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of capoeira

Brazilian Portuguese, kind of martial art, ruffian skilled in this art, fugitive slave living in the forest, from capão island of forest in a clear-cut area, from Tupi kaʔapáũ, from kaʔá forest + paũ round

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1945

See Words from the same year