merengue

noun

me·​ren·​gue mə-ˈreŋ-(ˌ)gā 

: 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

Examples of merengue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The weekly event features salsa, bachata, merengue and other Latin dance music. — Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2026

The event was hosted by Dominican merengue singer Milly Quezada and featured Erika Ender as one of the presenters. — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2026

And, of course, her dance moves — which draw from belly dancing as well as such Latin and Afro-Colombian styles as champeta and merengue — lived up to their nearly mythic status. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 21 June 2026

In the alluring title track, Turizo teams up with Colombian icon Maluma and embraces Dominican merengue. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above