rumba

noun

rum·​ba ˈrəm-bə 

ˈru̇m-, 

ˈrüm-

variants or less commonly rhumba

: a ballroom dance of Cuban origin in ²/₄ or ⁴/₄ time with a basic pattern of step-close-step and marked by a delayed transfer of weight and pronounced hip movements

also : the music for this dance

Examples of rumba in a Sentence

The band played a rumba.

Recent Examples on the Web

As salsa was reaching its golden age into the 1970s — combining elements of mambo, Afro-Cuban rumba and jazz in New York City studios and clubs — El Gran Combo became the voice of the genre in Puerto Rico. —Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 7 Dec. 2025

Hernando was from Cuba, tall and thin, young and gay, trained in classical ballet but practiced in every dance from waltz to rumba to salsa. —Betty Fussell, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025

Elaine Hendrix earns perfect scores in ‘DWTS’ finale Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten delivered a standout rumba in the Dancing With the Stars season 34 finale, earning unanimous praise from the judges and a perfect score. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Elaine Hendrix and dancing pro Alan Bersten were tasked to dance a rumba by judge Derek Hough. —Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rumba

noun

rum·​ba ˈrəm-bə 

ˈru̇m-

: a dance of Cuban origin