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 was sold in Kroger stores in Illinois, Colorado, Georgia, Washington, Indiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oregon, and Michigan. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Local produce shines in traditional Chilean dishes such as cabrito al jugo a la cazuela (a goat stew); fresh ceviche; and pebre (a spicy salsa of herbs, onions, and tomatoes). —Emma Fritz, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

The respective stone pestle is durable and weighty enough to crush herbs and spices for guac, salsa, pesto, and more. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2025

Cheese dip, barbacoa, salsa, consume and more were missing date markings and several food items including consume, shredded chicken, salsa and more were stored without coverings outside the walk-in cooler. —Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Nov. 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