disco

¹ American  

[dis-koh] / ˈdɪs koʊ /

noun

plural

discos

1. discotheque.

2. a style of popular music for dancing, usually recorded and with complex electronic instrumentation, in which simple, repetitive lyrics are subordinated to a heavy, pulsating, rhythmic beat.

3. any of various forms of dance, often improvisational, performed to such music.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a disco or disco music.

2. intended for a disco or its patrons.

verb (used without object)

discoed, discoing

1. to dance disco, especially at a discotheque.

disco- ² American  

1. a combining form representing disk or disc in compound words.

   discifloral.

2. a combining form meaning “phonograph record”, used in the formation of compound words.

   discography.

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disco British  

/ ˈdɪskəʊ /

noun

1. 1. an occasion at which typically young people dance to amplified pop records, usually compered by a disc jockey and featuring special lighting effects

   2. ( as modifier )

      disco dancing

2. a nightclub or other public place where such dances take place

3. mobile equipment, usually accompanied by a disc jockey who operates it, for providing music for a disco

4. 1. a type of dance music designed to be played in discos, with a solid thump on each beat

   2. ( as modifier )

      a disco record

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Etymology

Origin of disco

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65; by shortening

Example Sentences

In PowerWash Simulator's case that means cleaning through one mucky area - say, a fun house or a roller disco - after another; quite literally rinse and repeat.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Zakee, 34, credits one crucial life change for this streak: She started listening to “Ring My Bell,” a louche disco heater released by Anita Ward in 1979.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

The big difference was they didn’t have the taint of disco.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Kevin O’Gorman, the master distiller behind it, explains that it’s a bottle that benefits from a 50-year maturation process — yes, this whiskey started life in the disco decade.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

Lenny is organizing his undershirt drawer with an actual flashlight, completely oblivious to the disco dance party room that he’s in.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

Related Words

• dance hall
• nightclub
• nightspot