norteño

American  

[nawr-teyn-yoh, nawr-te-nyoh] / nɔrˈteɪn joʊ, nɔrˈtɛ njoʊ /

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

See Examples For:

norteño

Música mexicana’s boom has reimagined sounds passed down through generations with corridos, rancheras, norteño, banda and sierreño for the streaming era.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

Lines of folklorico dancers, norteño musicians and lowrider bikers normally burst with cultural pride at the Milpas Street Holiday Parade on Santa Barbara’s Eastside.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2025

Known for its online presence, P1Harmony achieved a viral moment back in 2021, wilding out on a livestream when fans suggested they play “La Chona” by the norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2025

The song boasts Grupo Frontera’s traditional norteño sound, with the addition of their signature bongo of course.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 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