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

Here’s the best part: The burger comes alongside fries, bottomless chips and salsa, and a bottomless drink for just $10.99. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025

Finish off with an eclectic drizzling of salsa, tahini or hummus. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025

His band went all-out as well, bringing bombastic salsa to warm up a frigid D.C. day. —Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2025

At the hotel’s main disco, the salty ocean breeze cooled the night air, thick with intoxication, as a DJ blended salsa rhythms with American club music, designed to get the crowds of American spring breakers dancing. —Alaa Elassar, CNN, 24 Mar. 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