norteño

American  

[nawr-teyn-yoh, nawr-te-nyoh] / nɔrˈteɪn yoʊ, nɔrˈtɛ nyoʊ /

adjective

1. of or relating to northern Mexico, the border area of Mexico and the United States, the people of this region, or their dialect of Spanish.

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noun

1. Also called norteña music.  Also called Tex-Mex.  Also called norteña.  a lively, polkalike folk music chiefly of southern Texas and northern Mexico, usually with Spanish lyrics and played on accordion and 12-string guitar, sometimes with fiddle and saxophone.

Etymology

Origin of norteño

First recorded in 1950–55; from Spanish (Mexico, Texas): literally, “northern(er),” equivalent to nort(e) “north” + -eño a suffix forming nouns and adjectives from placenames; see origin at Madrileño ( def. ); see also north ( def. )

Example Sentences

The 15-track LP, a solid representative of the ever-evolving norteño sound coming from the Texas borderlands, begins with a blessing, “29:11.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Technology was a great ally of the Nortec Collective — it allowed us to deconstruct the norteño sound and create something new.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Their music and that of other norteño bands has gained a large following in the US, particularly in areas where Mexican-Americans live.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2025

The traditional norteño sax group, which includes a saxophone, accordion and baja sexto in its ensemble, closed out the showcase with deep romanticism and irresistible energy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2025

The titans of Tejano music look back at three decades of hits, becoming a norteño powerhouse and the freedom of making music on their terms.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2024