mambo

noun mam·bo \ ˈmäm-(ˌ)bō \

Definition of mambo

plural mambos

:a ballroom dance of Cuban origin that resembles the rumba and the cha-cha; also :the music for this dance

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mambo

intransitive verb

See mambo defined for English-language learners

See mambo defined for kids

Examples of mambo in a Sentence

They learned to dance the mambo.
The band played a mambo.

Recent Examples of mambo from the Web

The 2018 sailing will include a visit to Costa Maya, Mexico and the Cayman Islands. Practiced by millions of people around the world, Zumba incorporates dance elements of hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue and mambo.

— gene sloan, USA TODAY, "It's back! Royal Caribbean to host another Zumba cruise," 30 Aug. 2017
Royce, who was born in the Bronx to Dominican parents, fuses elements of salsa, mambo, R&B, hip-hop and suave pop into a 21st century blend.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Prince Royce At Foxwoods," 9 Aug. 2017
African rhythms became the guaguanco, the mambo and the merengue.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "'La Havana Madrid' resurrects nightclub with patron, performer stories," 8 Aug. 2017
The Ladew lineup includes a wide range of musical styles, from Latin band Mambo Combo to roots group Charm City Junction.

— kit waskom pollard, baltimoresun.com, "3 ways for Harford County families to enjoy the arts in July," 23 June 2017
Orkesta Mendoza Led by singer and guitarist Sergio Mendoza, the Latin music band plays cumbia, mambo and mariachi with a mix of indie rock. 8 p.m. Amp by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda. 301-581-5100.

— jillian s. jarrett, Washington Post, "Going Out Guide for Montgomery County, June 22-28, 2017," 21 June 2017
Mr. Allman’s rolling piano riff is part gospel, part Mardi Gras mambo, and his lyrics fight their way out of mourning toward gratitude for being alive as Dickey Betts’s slide guitar pushes ahead.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Listen to 10 Definitive Gregg Allman Songs," 28 May 2017
Nowadays, most proms are held in hotel ballrooms, which are convenient for those who want to slip upstairs and do a little horizontal mambo.

— marla jo fisher, Orange County Register, "It’s time for prom! Get out the breathalyzers and tear gas," 23 May 2017
Like bebop and early rock ’n’ roll, midcentury mambo and what would eventually become known as salsa will always bear the aspirational residue of their time.

— giovanni russonello, New York Times, "Bringing Tito Puente’s Fire to a New Generation," 25 Apr. 2017

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