yacht rock

noun

: soft rock
especially : a style of soft rock music originating in the 1970s and 1980s
For those unfamiliar, yacht rock is the smooth, feel-good sound of the '70s and '80s soft rock era. Think artists like Toto, Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, and Kenny Loggins. —Tatum Ratzlaff
—often used before another noun
yacht rock artists/bands/songs

Examples of yacht rock 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.
This year, country music — or at least a few of its leading men — is moving up from fishing rigs and pontoons to the easy listening waters of yacht rock. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 13 June 2026 Celebrate Christmas in your flip-flops at this midsummer holiday bash featuring a yacht rock tribute band. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 1 July 2026 The album, which is comprised almost wholly of covers spanning yacht rock mainstays, also includes one original Urban song to round the package out. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 Keith Urban hath returned — and now, the four-time Grammy Award winning country music superstar is into yacht rock. — ABC News, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for yacht rock

Word History

Etymology

Note: The label yacht rock was introduced by J. D. Ryznar, Hunter D. Stair, and Lane Farnham, the creators of the online comedy video series Yacht Rock (2005-10). The name apparently alludes to the song "Sailing" by Christopher Cross, taken as emblematic of the music, and to the Southern California milieu of the show.

First Known Use

2005, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yacht rock was in 2005

Rhymes for yacht rock

See All Rhymes for yacht rock

Browse Nearby Words

yachting
yacht rock
yacht rope
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yacht rock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yacht%20rock. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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