merengue

noun me·ren·gue \ mə-ˈreŋ-(ˌ)gā \

Updated on: 21 Mar 2018

Definition of merengue

: a ballroom dance of Haitian and Dominican origin in 2/4 time in which one foot is dragged on every step; also : the music for a merengue

Recent Examples of merengue from the Web

Our work was rewarded with lunch prepared by residents and merengue dancing lessons under a tent.

— teresa m. pelham, courant.com, "Being Grateful In The Face Of Privilege," 17 Mar. 2018
In an attempt to attract Puerto Rican workers, Branson, Missouri learns to merengueAmong other things, of course.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Trump Sues, Teachers Gone Crazy and Get Ready to Wrinkle in Time," 9 Mar. 2018
Saying his 12-member orchestra is skilled in both salsa and merengue, Flores further explained that his group focuses on a certain musical style.

— bob kostanczuk, Post-Tribune, "Orquesta Iluziones ready to dish out salsa music at Hobart show," 2 Feb. 2018
La Notte Latina New Year’s Eve: DJ Tamayo will spin the sounds of salsa, cumbia, merengue, reggaeton, bachata, banda, rumbero and more in this dance-bration.

— ashiah scharaga, sacbee, "From fireworks to roller skating, 18 ways to ring in 2018 – and send off 2017 in style," 26 Dec. 2017
The band plays salsa, merengue, bolero and Latin jazz.

— nick sortal, miamiherald, "Insert money. Press button. Compute payouts. Repeat. How a Hollywood man cracked the code of Seminole slots.," 12 Dec. 2017
Despite the point difference, the merengues come emboldened after beating Brazilian side Gremio in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

— alejandro yanun, chicagotribune.com, "El Clasico, also played in Chicago," 20 Dec. 2017
The cake, ice cream and merengue dessert is being revived on all 25 ships in Carnival’s fleet.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "It's back! Carnival revives traditional Baked Alaska parade on all 25 cruise ships," 6 Dec. 2017
There are also brief interludes of him dancing tango, mambo, salsa and merengue.

— richy rosario, Billboard, "John Leguizamo's 'Latin History for Morons' Is a Timely Reminder Latinos Are an Indispensable Element of the American Fabric," 16 Nov. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of merengue

American Spanish

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1888

in the meaning defined above

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Spanish Central: Translation of merengue Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about merengue

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