Tejano

noun

Te·​ja·​no tā-ˈhä-(ˌ)nō 

plural Tejanos

often attributive

1

: a Texan of Hispanic descent

—often used before another noun

2

[probably short for conjunto tejano, literally, Texan ensemble] : Tex-Mex popular music that combines elements of European waltzes and polkas, country music, and rock and that often features an accordion

Examples of Tejano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thirty years after the death of beloved Tejano star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, her husband is still trying to make sense of the tragedy. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

Thirty years after her tragic death, Selena, known during her lifetime as the Queen of Tejano music, continues to draw millions of adoring fans to her music and life story. —Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

In her college class, Alemán is helping foster a newer generation of Selena fans who are creating a body of academic work and archives full of stories and memories of the Queen of Tejano music. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2025

An undated photo shows Yolanda Saldívar, who is serving a life sentence for the killing of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. —Nicole Chavez, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Tejas Texas

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Tejano

• chicano
• hispano
• serrano
• solano
• soprano
• americano
• castellano
• cebuano
• mexicano
• llano
• mano