bomba

American  

[bahm-buh, bohm-buh] / ˈbɑm bə, ˈboʊm bə /

noun

plural

bombas

1. a Puerto Rican dance with African influences: also a style of drumming or singing that accompanies such a dance, or the drum itself.

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Example Sentences

But, Melendez-Badillo says, he's also a colonial subject -- a reality explored on "Debi Tirar Mas Fotos," which features an ingenious melange of traditional sounds including salsa, bomba and plena, with infusions of reggaeton.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

The Latin Grammys, like their Anglo counterpart, often prize tradition over artistic daring; “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” pays homage to the past by incorporating classic Puerto Rican styles like bomba, plena and salsa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

The performance also included a troupe traditional bomba and plena dancers and musicians, playing a stripped-back rendition of Diluvio from his 2023 album, Playa Saturno.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

Japonica rice includes Spanish bomba, Italian Arborio and Japanese rice like Koshihikari and Nishiki; most, but not all of it is short-grain.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2024

Popular items were the boxes on the floor filled with Spanish LPs from past decades, old mambo and salsa records, plena, bomba, Latin hits our parents would dance to.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez