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

Nine stages of jazz, blues, R&B, Latin, salsa and more. —Jake Richardson, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025

Dress up rotisserie chicken with your favorite salsa and adobo sauce for an unforgettable tray of easy chicken nachos. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2025

Then have a friend order the South of the Border Enchilada Flight for chicken with salsa verde, queso fresco, carnitas, and chicken with mole, all cooked in the authentic Mexican style. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Casa Histórica de la Música en Cayey Puerto Rico's musical heritage is multi-dimensional — a rich blend of Spanish, African and Taíno influences that have blossomed into genres like salsa and reggaetón and the folkloric beats of bomba and plena. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 31 July 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