Definition of DISCO

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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

Step 7: Repeat With All Nails Repeat nine times for a full set of disco ball nails. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "How To Apply Glitter Nail Polish the Right Way," 10 Jan. 2019 Looking at pieces from those collections, one can see that the designer is drawn to disparate, sometimes clashing, tendencies: ruffles and lamé, disco and kawaii, and goth. — Vogue, "Meet Nikola Vasari, Faith Connexion’s First Creative Director," 7 Sep. 2018 Be Live Collection Punta Cana provides accommodations designed for families, kids club programs and an abundance of activities ranging from beach volleyball to kayaking to discos and beyond. — Vacation Express, USA TODAY, "Here are 5 places to make the most of your Punta Cana Vacation!," 29 May 2018 An eclectic mix of party-goers show off their moves in dance circles to all kinds of music, from '80s and '90s classics to sub-genres of disco, such as Hi-NRG, Italo, and electro. — Condé Nast Traveler, "23 Best Things To Do In Mexico City," 4 Mar. 2018 Photo: Max Burkhalter for The Wall Street Journal A few blocks from downtown in the city’s artsy Southtown neighborhood, the Italian restaurant Battalion has transformed a 1920s firehouse into a cross between a modern osteria and a European disco. — Mike Sutter, WSJ, "The Best Under-the-Radar Food Destination in the U.S.," 19 Oct. 2018 After the pleasure and play is done, all that will remain are radio waves, and an eternal Johnny Cash striding through a disco at Armageddon. — Jonathan Bradley, Billboard, "Dream Up the World You're Gonna Live In: How U2's 'Zooropa' Got the Future Wrong, 25 Years Later," 5 July 2018 The premiere's music ricochets between recognizable favorites, like Houston's anthem and Chaka Khan, to the '70s disco of the balls, to Kate Bush's crooning. — refinery29.com, "Inside The Secrets Of Pose's Exuberant '80s Soundtrack," 7 June 2018 Kim, who has been jobless since retiring as a hospital administer 20 years ago, is among about 1,000 customers each weekday at the disco, called a colatec. — Cynthia Kim, The Christian Science Monitor, "South Korea's elderly boogie, find connection in daytime discos," 17 Apr. 2018

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.