reggaeton

American  

[reg-ey-tohn] / ˌrɛg eɪˈtoʊn /

Or reggaetón

noun

1. a type of contemporary popular music, originating in the housing projects of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and other urban centers of poverty in Latin America, characterized by rap lyrics in Spanish and a vigorous percussive beat that rises and falls.

   mainstream artists embracing reggaeton.

---

reggaeton British  

/ ˌrɛɡeɪˈtɒn /

noun

1. a type of Puerto Rican popular music that combines reggae rhythms with hip-hop influences and includes rapping in Spanish

---

Etymology

Origin of reggaeton

First recorded in 2000–05; from Spanish, equivalent to reggae ( def. ) + -tón (as in maratón “marathon”); -athon ( def. )

Example Sentences

After collaborating on the reggaeton track “Tommy & Pamela” in 2024, the two Mexican artists went public as an item last year.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

For years, reggaeton was persecuted on the island.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

The NFL is expanding its footprint to host games in Mexico and Brazil, two countries where reggaeton, salsa and other música urbana styles dominate.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

Bad Bunny delivered a buoyant celebration of Latino culture during his halftime show, blitzing through reggaeton, Latin trap and salsa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

My cousin Yvette played nothing but reggaeton at her party and then did a choreographed dance in an outrageous sequined outfit.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez