hip-hop

American  

[hip-hop] / ˈhɪpˌhɒp /

Or hip hop

noun

1. a popular culture movement originated by Black performers in New York City in the 1970s and characterized by rap music, break dancing, and graffiti art.

   The choreographer was a pioneer in introducing hip-hop to the national and international stage.

   Writing about hip-hop was really just an excuse to write about all these other aspects of Black culture.

2. rap music.

---

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of this movement.

   Unlike other big-name designers, he tapped into hip-hop street styles, which made him one of the wealthiest designers of the 1990s.

hip-hop British  

/ ˈhɪpˌhɒp /

noun

1. a US pop culture movement originating in the 1980s comprising rap music, graffiti, and break dancing

---

hip-hop Cultural  

1. Another name for rap music.

---

Discover More

The term hip-hop also refers to the speech, fashions, and personal style adopted by many youths, particularly in urban areas.

Etymology

Origin of hip-hop

First recorded in 1975–80; probably hip ⁴ ( def. ) + hop ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “act of hopping”

Explanation

Hip hop is both a genre of music that features rhythmic rhyming lyrics and an artistic subculture influenced by hip hop music. Since the late 1970s, hip hop culture has been known for elements that include rapping (or chanting lyrics), graffiti art, turntable DJing, and variations on breakdancing. The name hip hop originally referred to 1950s teen dance parties, and later to the South Bronx parties where rap and hip hop were born. As the Sugarhill Gang says in 1980s song "Rapper's Delight": "I said a hip hop / The hippie to the hippie / The hip hip a hop, and you don't stop."

Example Sentences

Not only did Cardi B lead the pack with six total nominations, she took home the award for female hip hop artist and delivered one of the night’s most anticipated performances.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

Classical experts have also cited the influence of composers such as Vivaldi, merged with hip hop and pop.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

The two non-Brits acts who will be inducted this year are the late soul singer Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

And even if he believes that "urban Ivorian culture is at its peak" -- given the growing international popularity of Ivorian hip hop -- the activist urged the government to "put our ancestral culture first".

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

For I'm an honest toad Just living by the road,     Hip, hip, hop.

From Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1 by Cole, E. W. (Edward William)