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

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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.
There’s everything from bebop and blues to disco, funk, and reggae. — Lina Lecaro, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026 Neil was becoming influenced by Stewart Copeland and reggae and all sorts of other things. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 Tricky Brooding and enveloping, Tricky’s music combines hip-hop, dub reggae and goth-punk. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026 Throughout the night, the group also showed their versatility by combining elements of alternative rock, hip-hop, electronica, reggae and world music. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 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 14 Oct. 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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