a style of popular music that derives in part from blues and folk music and is marked by a heavily accented beat and a simple, repetitive phrase structure.
adjective
2.
of or relating to this music.
verb (used without object)
3.
to dance to or play rock-'n'-roll.
Origin of rock-'n'-roll
1950-1955
1950-55; contraction of phrase rock and roll; see rock2
a type of pop music originating in the 1950s as a blend of rhythm and blues and country and western. It is generally based upon the twelve-bar blues, the first and third beats in each bar being heavily accented
(as modifier): the rock-and-roll era
2.
dancing performed to such music, with exaggerated body movements stressing the beat
also rock 'n' roll, 1954 in reference to a specific style of popular music, from rock (v.2) + roll (v.). The verbal phrase had been a Black English euphemism for "sexual intercourse," used in popular dance music lyrics and song titles since at least the 1930s.
