salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

ˈsäl-

1

: a usually spicy sauce of chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers that is commonly served with Mexican food

also : a similar sauce made with a main ingredient other than tomatoes

peach salsa

2

: popular music of Latin American origin that has absorbed characteristics of rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock

Examples of salsa in a Sentence

The band was playing salsa.

We're taking classes in salsa.

Recent Examples on the Web

The salsa on the vampiro did have a nice spicy kick that tickles the lip and tongue. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025

He’s stoked for a new partnerships with Wild Sol – Alex Bregman and wife Reagan Bregman’s salsa company – and Flecha Azul Tequila – which actor Mark Wahlberg is associated with. —Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025

Aside from longtime friend Shakira, Sanz also collaborates with hot new hit-makers Grupo Frontera — in a salsa that steers the act far from its regional Mexican sound — and Manuel Turizo, who eschews his up-tempo rhythmic dance fare for a more melancholy ballad. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 22 May 2025

Alicea is a Puerto Rican actress and dancer who began performing at a young age, as a salsa dancing competitor, a model, and public speaker. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, sauce, from Latin, feminine of salsus salted — more at sauce

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for salsa

• balsa
• khalsa

Kids Definition

salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

ˈsäl-

1

: a spicy sauce of tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers

2

: popular Latin American music with elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock