disco

noun

dis·co | \ ˈdi-(ˌ)skō

plural discos

Definition of disco

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a nightclub for dancing to live and recorded music

2 : popular dance music characterized by hypnotic rhythm, repetitive lyrics, and electronically produced sounds

disco

verb

discoed; discoing; discos

Definition of disco (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to dance to disco music

disco-

combining form

Definition of disco- (Entry 3 of 3)

— see disc-

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about disco

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Did You Know?

A style of dance music that arose in the mid-1970s, disco (short for discotheque), is characterized by hypnotic rhythm, repetitive lyrics, and electronically produced sounds. Disco evolved largely from New York underground nightclubs, in which disc jockeys would play dance records for hours without interruption, taking care to synchronize the beats so as to make a seamless change between records. Artists such as Donna Summer, Chic, and the Bee Gees, had hits in the genre, which peaked with the release of the film Saturday Night Fever (1977). Disco faded after 1980, but its influence, especially its sequenced electronic beats, still affects much of pop music.

Examples of disco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Some claimed the anti-disco sentiment of the era was racist and homophobic and should not be celebrated by the Sox. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "White Sox commemorate Steve Dahl and Disco Demolition Night: 'It could not happen again'," 13 June 2019 Shakedown Street, the Grateful Dead’s bad foray into disco. — Justin Taylor, Harper's magazine, "What it Means to Be Alive," 10 June 2019 While cabanas and discos draw in crowds of twenty- and thirtysomethings, family-friendly activities are on the rise in wine country too. — Stephanie Cain, Fortune, "The Wine Country Tasting Room Is Dead. But Long Live Wine Country," 9 June 2019 The song first made the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980 for the disco group Festival. — Paul Grein, Billboard, "When 'Evita' Won Seven Tonys in 1980, It Was a Big Win for Brits," 4 June 2019 After the musical performance concluded and the dancers fawned over John Waters, the crowd broke into after-party disco debauchery. — Vogue, "John Waters Was in His Campy Element at Ballroom Marfa's Spring Celebration," 21 May 2019 Next came confident colors and flourishes: a foyer in creamy lacquer, a wall of ocean-blue grass cloth, a swiveling, disco-era brass cocktail table. — Vanessa Gregory, ELLE Decor, "A Recently Renovated Mid-Century Home in Knoxville, Tennessee," 7 Feb. 2019 In their free time, the new friends danced at discos, shopped for antiques or drove to the beach at Galveston. — Dan Frosch, WSJ, "The Year Hurricane Harvey Swamped a Neighborhood—and Split a Friendship," 16 Aug. 2018 On Saturday, wedding guests celebrated the union by dancing the night away under the Grill Room's giant disco ball. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, "Marc Jacobs Gets Married: All the Celebratory Moments from His New York Wedding," 7 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After the screening, I was asked to write a ballad score and disco vocal for a dance scene. — Marc Myers, WSJ, "The Nonsense Lyrics That Donna Summer Turned Into a Classic," 22 Aug. 2018 Yubin’s debut single draws on ‘80s disco and soft rock, sprinkling the playful melody with funky instrumentals, sweet harmonies, and playful synths. — Tamar Herman, Billboard, "Former Wonder Girls Member Yubin Debuts First Solo Song 'Lady': Watch the Video," 5 June 2018 Your soup can and disco looks didn't impress the judges. — Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, "Aja talks reintroducing herself on 'RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' 3," 23 Feb. 2018 Zendaya channeled her inner ‘70s disco Barbie on Monday (August 7) evening, attending Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood Event wearing an ombré pink sparkly pantsuit by designer Vivetta. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "Zendaya Wears a Pink Sequined Suit on the Red Carpet," 10 Aug. 2017

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