: a Brazilian dance of African origin with a basic pattern of step-close-step-close and characterized by a dip and spring upward at each beat of the music
also
: the music for this dance
samba
intransitive verb
Examples of samba in a Sentence
The band played a samba.
Recent Examples on the Web
Think shows that include Argentine cowboys known as gauchos, Brazilian samba dancers, West African (Moko Jumbie) stilt walkers.
—
Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
The samba schools compete with one another, and the parades function as both a community showcase and a high-stakes cultural contest.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Expect elaborate parades, nonstop samba and vibrant costumes crafted by local samba schools in a massive showcase of Brazilian culture.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Last month, as a steady, pre-rainy season wind whipped off the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds of samba, morna and jazz filled the streets.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for samba
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Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026
The samba schools compete with one another, and the parades function as both a community showcase and a high-stakes cultural contest.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Expect elaborate parades, nonstop samba and vibrant costumes crafted by local samba schools in a massive showcase of Brazilian culture.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026
Last month, as a steady, pre-rainy season wind whipped off the Atlantic Ocean, the sounds of samba, morna and jazz filled the streets.
—Ricci Shryock, NPR, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for samba
Cite this Entry
“Samba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samba. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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