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 cold holding unit is holding diced tomatoes and salsa at 46 degrees. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 There’s something happening every second; basically, Cubans took all their genres, like salsa and son, and pushed them to their peak. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026 The restaurant also makes its own salsas, including roja, verde and a spicier green variety. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026 Afterwards, everyone was lured by the sound of salsa music into Bar Lelarge for a nightcap before scattering around the hotel. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about salsa

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