samba
noun
sam·ba ˈsam-bə 
ˈsäm-
ˈsäm- : a Brazilian dance of African origin with a basic pattern of step-close-step-close and characterized by a dip and spring upward at each beat of the music
also : the music for this dance
samba intransitive verb
Example Sentences
The band played a samba.
Recent Examples on the Web In 2008, Lapa’s flagship samba club, Carioca da Gema (Native of Rio), took a chance on Rogê. 
James Gavin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Accordingly, Abdelinho speaks Portuguese and dances the samba. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 May 2022 Of the 12 samba schools that participated, eight chose themes dealing with Afro-Brazilian culture or racial injustice, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). Antonia Mufarech, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Apr. 2022 The pandemic upended these samba schools' way of life for two years. David Biller And Mauricio Savarese, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2022 This feeling of gratitude toward a samba school community is also shared by Neves, the carnival researcher. Beatriz Miranda, refinery29.com, 19 Apr. 2022 For all its sprinklings of pixie dust — a wiggly scorpion samba, a cyclone of flying pastries — the movie is often disconcertingly adult, and at the same time, largely unconcerned with welcoming in viewers not already steeped in the mythology. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2022 Rio, known for its elaborate Carnival celebrations, has canceled the informal street parades that typically accompany its official samba parade and competition. Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2022 Out front, the cobblestone alley was packed with unmasked revelers, swaying and singing around a makeshift samba band. Jack Nicas, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Dec. 2021 See More
James Gavin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2022 Accordingly, Abdelinho speaks Portuguese and dances the samba. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 May 2022 Of the 12 samba schools that participated, eight chose themes dealing with Afro-Brazilian culture or racial injustice, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). Antonia Mufarech, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Apr. 2022 The pandemic upended these samba schools' way of life for two years. David Biller And Mauricio Savarese, USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2022 This feeling of gratitude toward a samba school community is also shared by Neves, the carnival researcher. Beatriz Miranda, refinery29.com, 19 Apr. 2022 For all its sprinklings of pixie dust — a wiggly scorpion samba, a cyclone of flying pastries — the movie is often disconcertingly adult, and at the same time, largely unconcerned with welcoming in viewers not already steeped in the mythology. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2022 Rio, known for its elaborate Carnival celebrations, has canceled the informal street parades that typically accompany its official samba parade and competition. Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2022 Out front, the cobblestone alley was packed with unmasked revelers, swaying and singing around a makeshift samba band. Jack Nicas, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Portuguese
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined above