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

By Chloe Sorvino, Forbes Staff Inside his modern home in the hills of Guadalajara, Mexico, Arturo Lomeli is eating one of his favorite foods—taquitos, piled high with crema, salsa and guacamole—as tequila is poured into crystal flutes around the table. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Dig in: Its menu features modern takes on traditional Mexican fare like guacamole, salsa, and chips, churros with dulce de leche, and ribeye tacos. —Laura Barrero, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024

There’s still a very good burger made with tomato jam, but there are also more refined options like scallops and polenta and grilled bavette served with salsa macha. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024

Owner Joe Zavala takes barbecue staples such as brisket, ribs, and sausage and combines them with Tex-Mex flavors like fresh flour tortillas, pico de gallo, cheesy jalapeno hominy, and homemade salsas for a barbecue-Tex-Mex fusion that'll leave you planning a return trip to town. —Amanda Ogle, Southern Living, 16 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