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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of reggaeton

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

Example Sentences

At the gate, Venezuelan and U.S. officials, lawmakers, Miami influencers and journalists mingled over cafecitos and arepas as a DJ played reggaeton.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The Colombian artist’s energetic set not only incorporated salsa, merengue and reggaeton classics — it also paid homage to regional Mexican music, with help from the Latin Grammy-nominated ensemble, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Medina stopped by the vintage market organized by Bichota Records to channel the reggaeton star's signature look.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The cherry on top for Sunday will be reggaeton star Karol G, the first Latina to headline the festival.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The reggaeton music coming from the pisa y corre is both incredibly irritating and unbelievably catchy and motivating as I run.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya