rhythm and blues

noun

: popular music typically including elements of blues and African American folk music and marked by a strong beat and simple chord structure

Examples of rhythm and blues 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 first show features Jesse Ray Smith, Kimmi Butter and Rebecca Jade, who will be performing modern rhythm and blues, jazz, modern Americana, and country music. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 Prior to this point, the Dead were intergalactic musical trailblazers with a grounding in the earthy rhythm and blues of this world of ours. Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026 The exhibition culminates with THREE SCREEN RAY (2006), a late-career revisiting of his 1961 film COSMIC RAY, acting as an explosive, three-screen visual homage to rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. Robert Lang, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026 Secular music—beginning with blues but later including jazz, rhythm and blues (R&B), and rock and roll—typically voiced more worldly concerns. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rhythm and blues

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhythm and blues was in 1933

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rhythm and blues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhythm%20and%20blues. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

rhythm and blues

noun
: popular music with elements of blues and African American folk music

More from Merriam-Webster on rhythm and blues

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster