war dance
noun
plural war dances
: any of various traditional dances involving stylized fighting movements and performed ceremonially (as in preparation for battle or in celebration of victory)
At the end of the game, the New Zealanders paid the Americans the ultimate form of homage in their sporting culture. … they suddenly broke into the Haka, a legendary war dance used by the Maori people to show respect to their opponents.—
Mike Wise
Mike WiseDances are another highlight of Eastern Pequot celebrations, with men performing war dances, a tradition before battle or hunts …—Claire Bessette
Claire BessetteExamples of war dance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
New Zealand, then known as the Gal Blacks, had been granted permission from Maori elders to perform the haka, the ceremonial war dance that features chanting, stamping and facial gestures such as pukana (bulging eyes) and whetero (sticking out the tongue).
—Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Suddenly, the screen turns white and Prabowo strolls on stage, prompting all to stand and launch into a traditional Javanese war dance, punching the air, thumping chests, and chanting in hypnotic unison.
—Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
Historically a ceremonial Māori war dance, the Haka was intended as a challenge to opponents and a rallying cry before heading into battle, though today it is also used to celebrate Māori identity and culture and as a way of unifying people at times of grief.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024
The bride and groom also got in on the action, with Blackmon and his groomsmen performing the Siva Tau, a Samoan war dance, and Gilmore performing the Taualuga in a traditional Samoan dress.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024
Football players from Euless Trinity High School performed a war dance Monday evening in front of Texas Star Golf Course in Euless.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Hakas are often mistakenly called traditional war dances.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
Additionally, 40 students with Tongan heritage from Euless Trinity High School will attend the summit, some of whom will perform Sipi Tau, a Tongan war dance, as part of the event.
—Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2022
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Peter Carline, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Suddenly, the screen turns white and Prabowo strolls on stage, prompting all to stand and launch into a traditional Javanese war dance, punching the air, thumping chests, and chanting in hypnotic unison.
—Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
Historically a ceremonial Māori war dance, the Haka was intended as a challenge to opponents and a rallying cry before heading into battle, though today it is also used to celebrate Māori identity and culture and as a way of unifying people at times of grief.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024
The bride and groom also got in on the action, with Blackmon and his groomsmen performing the Siva Tau, a Samoan war dance, and Gilmore performing the Taualuga in a traditional Samoan dress.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024
Football players from Euless Trinity High School performed a war dance Monday evening in front of Texas Star Golf Course in Euless.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Hakas are often mistakenly called traditional war dances.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
Additionally, 40 students with Tongan heritage from Euless Trinity High School will attend the summit, some of whom will perform Sipi Tau, a Tongan war dance, as part of the event.
—Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2022
Cite this Entry
“War dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20dance. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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