samba

noun

sam·​ba ˈsam-bə How to pronounce samba (audio) ˈsäm- How to pronounce samba (audio)
: a Brazilian dance of African origin with a basic pattern of step-close-step-close and characterized by a dip and spring upward at each beat of the music
also : the music for this dance
samba intransitive verb

Examples of samba in a Sentence

The band played a samba.
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.
DJs take over late on Fridays and Saturdays, while Sundays belong to samba and feijoada meals, honoring the local tradition of gathering with loved ones on weekends to enjoy the black bean and meat stew. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026 The surprise samba left even hard-to-impress Nick Saban, whose rug cutting is limited to boot leg Cupid Shuffle videos on recruiting visits, near speechless. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 In her first collaboration with a Brazilian artist, Goebel blended the DCC’s crisp formations with funk, samba, hip-hop, twerking, and the voguing of Brazil’s ballroom scene. — Raymond Braun, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Inaba called out a lift in the couple’s samba routine and even read the definition of a lift during her critique. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for samba

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of samba was in 1885

Rhymes for samba

See All Rhymes for samba

Browse Nearby Words

Sama Veda
samba
sambal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Samba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samba. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on samba

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about samba

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