bachata

[ bah-chah-tah ]

noun

1. a contemporary genre of Latin American popular music, in the style of a ballad, featuring guitars, percussion, and singing:

   On Thursdays, they have a band that plays nothing but bachata.

2. a song performed in the musical style of bachata:

   The lyrics to this bachata are from a traditional hymn.

3. a partnered dance of Dominican origin, performed to the music of bachata, traditionally danced in eight-count box steps with a sequence of three steps and a tap, with modern variations that include steps from other Latin ballroom dances:

   Part of the ballroom competition is a six-minute bachata.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bachata¹

First recorded in 1955–60; from Caribbean Spanish; origin uncertain