reggae

noun

reg·​gae ˈre-(ˌ)gā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrā-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of rock and soul music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

Examples of reggae in a Sentence

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.
He is joined on stage by his frequent collaborator, reggae star Shaggy. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 June 2026 Eighties Rush is a beast of its own, with walls of synths and an evolving approach from Peart, who began to embrace polyrhythms and reggae à la his friend Stewart Copeland. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026 There was a brass band and a samba-reggae drumline, seemingly celebrating the Knicks and Pride Month with equal jubilation. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 14 June 2026 But the real draw at this show may be Burning Spear, the 81-year-old roots-reggae vocal pioneer who has not performed here since 2022. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for reggae

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reggae was in 1968

Rhymes for reggae

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Browse Nearby Words

Regga
reggae
reggaeton
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Cite this Entry

“Reggae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reggae. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reggae

noun
reg·​gae ˈreg-(ˌ)ā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrāg-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of U.S. Black popular music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

More from Merriam-Webster on reggae

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reggae

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