war dance
noun
: a dance performed (as by American Indians) in preparation for battle or in celebration of victory
Examples of war dance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Suddenly, the screen turns white and Prabowo strolls on stage, prompting all to stand and launch into a traditional Javanese war dance, punching the air, thumping chests, and chanting in hypnotic unison.
—
Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
The effect is reminiscent of the siva tau, a traditional Samoan war dance that is now often performed by rugby players before a match.
—Coralie Kraft, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Historically a ceremonial Māori war dance, the Haka was intended as a challenge to opponents and a rallying cry before heading into battle, though today it is also used to celebrate Māori identity and culture and as a way of unifying people at times of grief.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024
The bride and groom also got in on the action, with Blackmon and his groomsmen performing the Siva Tau, a Samoan war dance, and Gilmore performing the Taualuga in a traditional Samoan dress.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024
Football players from Euless Trinity High School performed a war dance Monday evening in front of Texas Star Golf Course in Euless.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Hakas are often mistakenly called traditional war dances.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
Additionally, 40 students with Tongan heritage from Euless Trinity High School will attend the summit, some of whom will perform Sipi Tau, a Tongan war dance, as part of the event.
—Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2022
The men’s fancy war dance Shirley performs, meanwhile, is from the Ponca and Comanche tribes.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2021
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.
Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024
The effect is reminiscent of the siva tau, a traditional Samoan war dance that is now often performed by rugby players before a match.
—Coralie Kraft, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Historically a ceremonial Māori war dance, the Haka was intended as a challenge to opponents and a rallying cry before heading into battle, though today it is also used to celebrate Māori identity and culture and as a way of unifying people at times of grief.
—Chris Lau, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024
The bride and groom also got in on the action, with Blackmon and his groomsmen performing the Siva Tau, a Samoan war dance, and Gilmore performing the Taualuga in a traditional Samoan dress.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024
Football players from Euless Trinity High School performed a war dance Monday evening in front of Texas Star Golf Course in Euless.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2024
Hakas are often mistakenly called traditional war dances.
—Greg McKenna, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
Additionally, 40 students with Tongan heritage from Euless Trinity High School will attend the summit, some of whom will perform Sipi Tau, a Tongan war dance, as part of the event.
—Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2022
The men’s fancy war dance Shirley performs, meanwhile, is from the Ponca and Comanche tribes.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2021
Articles Related to war dance
Dictionary Entries Near war dance
Cite this Entry
“War dance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war%20dance. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share