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

Or keep it simple with salsa and chips, a salad, or your favorite veggies. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

Existing menu items such as chips and salsa remain unaffected by the change. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Locals rave about the tacos, burritos and salsa. —Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Plus, tacos come with a packet of avocado verde salsa, which is made of tomatillos, green chili peppers and avocado. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 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