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reggae

[reg-ey]

noun

  1. a style of Jamaican popular music blending blues, calypso, and rock-'n'-roll, characterized by a strong syncopated rhythm and lyrics of social protest.



reggae

/ ˈrɛɡeɪ /

noun

  1. a type of West Indian popular music having four beats to the bar, the upbeat being strongly accented

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

reggae

  1. A form of pop music that originated in Jamaica, combining elements of calypso and rhythm and blues (see blues) with a strongly accentuated offbeat. Bob Marley was the first internationally known reggae musician.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of reggae1

< Jamaican English, respelling of reggay (introduced in the song “Do the Reggay” (1968) by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert), a dance name based on rege, *strege a dowdy or raggedy fellow; compare rege-rege ragged clothing, quarrel, row
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Word History and Origins

Origin of reggae1

C20: of West Indian origin
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s a genre that emerged from people combining hip-hop, dancehall reggae and all manner of Latin American genres, like salsa and merengue.

Read more on Salon

The rhythmic pounding of drums producing samba and reggae beats soundtracked the party on the streets alongside the constant honking of car horns.

Read more on BBC

In the street, people danced to the sound of reggae tunes and local funana music.

Read more on Barron's

So, I’ve played my son a little bit of reggae and rocksteady, and there’s a heritage of sound that I think I’m passing on.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Having captured his first photos of Marley in 1973, Morris was there to picture him again when the reggae star returned to London two years later to play a legendary gig at the Lyceum Theatre.

Read more on BBC

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