reggae

noun

reg·​gae ˈre-(ˌ)gā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrā-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of rock and soul music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

Examples of reggae in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Morrison draws inspiration from Jamaican sound systems, aka reggae dub culture. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 The 15th annual Sacramento Banana Festival took over William Land Regional Park on Saturday with a reggae theme, banana-eating contests and Zumba, serving as the largest yearly fundraiser for the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum. — Sacbee.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Enhypen’s music ranges across genres such as pop, rock, and hip-hop, with occasional use of reggae. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026 Over the years, the Gipsy Kings have added to it elements drawn from different sources, from Brazilian music and reggae to Algerian rai. — Fernando Gonzalez, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reggae

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reggae was in 1968

Rhymes for reggae

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Browse Nearby Words

Regga
reggae
reggaeton
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Cite this Entry

“Reggae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reggae. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reggae

noun
reg·​gae ˈreg-(ˌ)ā How to pronounce reggae (audio)
ˈrāg-
: popular music of Jamaican origin that combines native styles with elements of U.S. Black popular music and is performed at moderate tempos with the accent on the offbeat

More from Merriam-Webster on reggae

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reggae

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