rhythm and blues

noun

: popular music typically including elements of blues and African American folk music and marked by a strong beat and simple chord structure

Examples of rhythm and blues in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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By the 1950s, Barge was jamming with local jazz and rhythm and blues groups and leading the Gene Barge Band. Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 An influential musician, songwriter and record producer, Toussaint created volumes of music and left his mark on the industry by representing the distinctive New Orleans style of rhythm and blues. Jared McCallister, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025 Carlos was one of the pioneering musicians and composers who forged ska from Jamaican jazz, American rhythm and blues, and Jamaican mento, and ska was the music that Marley and Cliff performed before becoming world-renowned for reggae. Heather Augustyn, SPIN, 21 Jan. 2025 From Otis Kane getting introspective to Teddy Swims being in love and letting the world know, this was a calm week in the world of rhythm and blues. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rhythm and blues 

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhythm and blues was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near rhythm and blues

Cite this Entry

“Rhythm and blues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhythm%20and%20blues. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

rhythm and blues

noun
: popular music with elements of blues and African American folk music

More from Merriam-Webster on rhythm and blues

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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