salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə How to pronounce salsa (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sopes were delicious, and the salsa was spicy and absolutely delightful. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 22, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026 Nautical tiki-themed The Warehouse has been a waterfront fixture since 1969, with weekly salsa lessons and live music. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026 The 57-year-old salsa great and his fourth wife, Miss Paraguay 2021 Nadia Ferreira — 30 years his junior — announced the birth of their second child — a daughter — Tuesday. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026 Incorporate diced mango into salsa and serve with chips, fish, chicken, tofu, or beans. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for salsa

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of salsa was circa 1962

Phrases Containing salsa

Rhymes for salsa

See All Rhymes for salsa

Browse Nearby Words

sal prunella
salsa
salsa verde
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salsa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salsa. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

salsa

noun
sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə How to pronounce salsa (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on salsa

Nglish: Translation of salsa for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about salsa

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