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 closure will allow Koncki to expand salsa production for Mama's Boy Salsa. —Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Chipotle vice president of culinary Nevielle Panthaky recommends trying a Carne Asada Burrito with white rice, black beans, roasted chili-corn salsa, fresh tomato salsa and cheese. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

They can be mixed into sauces and salads, added to sandwiches and pizza, or blended into dips and salsas. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 2 Sep. 2025

The fillings are streamlined for ease of prep and serving; the homemade blender salsas are where the magic really is. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 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