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

Vegetarians have ample options beyond salads, including chilaquiles ($12), tortilla chips smothered in red or green salsa and topped with beans and sour cream, or the chile relleno ($16), a poblano chile stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, battered and fried, served in a light tomato sauce. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025

Yet another salsa set featured a jalapeño pepper playing a guitar. —Lee Michael Katz, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025

The protein-forward menu also includes a High Protein-Low Calorie Salad with adobo chicken, supergreens lettuce mix, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa and guac. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 18 Dec. 2025

Travis talked about how Rudy’s makes its own salsa. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 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