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.
Fresh oysters come topped with the spicy-vinegar salsa bruja and jalapeno salsa brava, onion and lime ($20 per half-dozen). John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025 Round out your spread with dips like queso, buffalo chicken dip or a trio of salsa, guacamole and queso. Tamia Boyd, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2025 Need to use up that bell pepper, some salsa verde and a block of cream cheese? Nick Siano, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025 Bomba, plena, salsa, merengue and reggaetón — music that was born or honed in Puerto Rico. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near salsa

Cite this Entry

“Salsa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salsa. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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