salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

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

The Cherry Gift Box is $52.50 and includes all things cherry, including Food for Thought's cherry-raspberry preserves, cherry chile tequila, cherry honey mustard, cherry salsa, spiced cherry and hot cherry fireball salsa. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Dec. 2024

The feast includes a dozen tamales served with charro beans, Mexican rice, salsas, queso and guacamole, black beans and white rice. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024

Sophisticated in both its lyrics and production, the song is a captivating fusion of reggaetón, salsa and Afrobeats. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 10 Dec. 2024

The Challenges of a Comeback Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi's founder, has secured the rights to the restaurant name from Hormel Foods, which has maintained the brand through grocery store products like salsas and seasonings. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

salsa

noun

sal·​sa ˈsȯl-sə 

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