✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

reggae

noun

reg·​gae ˈre-(ˌ)gā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrā-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of rock and soul music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

Examples of reggae in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The long-running reggae punk band announced the debut of their first-ever touring festival, Sublime Me Gusta, which is slated to debut in Forth Worth, Texas on May 9 at the Panther Island Pavilion. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025 Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican musician and actor who helped bring reggae into the international spotlight, has died at 81. Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Nov. 2025 This latest entry pays homage to the classic sounds of roots reggae and dancehall music from 1970s and '80s Jamaica. Michael Calore, Wired News, 25 Nov. 2025 His first win came in 1985 for best reggae recording for Cliff Hanger, followed by best reggae album for Rebirth in 2013. Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reggae

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reggae was in 1968

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reggae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reggae. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

reggae

noun
reg·​gae ˈreg-(ˌ)ā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrāg-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of U.S. Black popular music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

More from Merriam-Webster on reggae

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!