contra dance
noun
con·tra dance
ˈkän-trə-ˌdan(t)s 
variants
or contredanse
1
: a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
2
: a piece of music for a contra dance
Examples of contra dance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There may be a new name over the door, Strafford General Store, but the bulletin board outside still advertises contra dances, dog walking, house cleaning, food pantries, and a new women’s empowerment group.
—
Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2025
Using big on-screen labels, Baker signals as these people enter and exit Lacy’s life — rivals for Janet’s attention — in a pattern that comes to resemble the regional contra dance depicted in the final scene.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
Erin Clark/Globe Staff People dance along with the band Kingfisher, a folk and contra dance group, during PorchFest in Somerville on Saturday.
—Lauren Booker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2023
Birmingham Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD) contra dance with Red Mountain Yellowhammers and caller Jef Hodge.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 27 Dec. 2021
Mud in Yer Eye, providing contra dance and folk music to Clevelanders since 1978, returns for another year of fun and frivolity.
—cleveland.com, 10 Sep. 2019
After a pre-ball dance lesson, Bangers & Mash waltzes, polkas, mixers, quadrilles, country & contra dances, and other popular 19th-century couple and set dances.
—Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2019
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Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2025
Using big on-screen labels, Baker signals as these people enter and exit Lacy’s life — rivals for Janet’s attention — in a pattern that comes to resemble the regional contra dance depicted in the final scene.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2023
Erin Clark/Globe Staff People dance along with the band Kingfisher, a folk and contra dance group, during PorchFest in Somerville on Saturday.
—Lauren Booker, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2023
Birmingham Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD) contra dance with Red Mountain Yellowhammers and caller Jef Hodge.
—Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 27 Dec. 2021
Mud in Yer Eye, providing contra dance and folk music to Clevelanders since 1978, returns for another year of fun and frivolity.
—cleveland.com, 10 Sep. 2019
After a pre-ball dance lesson, Bangers & Mash waltzes, polkas, mixers, quadrilles, country & contra dances, and other popular 19th-century couple and set dances.
—Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Contra dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contra%20dance. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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