rhythm and blues

American  

[rith-uhm uhn blooz] / ˈrɪð əm ən ˈbluz /

Also rhythm-and-blues

noun

1. a folk-based but urbanized form of Black popular music that is marked by strong, repetitious rhythms and simple melodies and was developed, in a commercialized form, into rock-'n'-roll.

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rhythm and blues British  

noun

1.  R B.  (functioning as singular) any of various kinds of popular music derived from or influenced by the blues

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Etymology

Origin of rhythm and blues

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

Americans were settling down, ballrooms were fading, and audiences were turning to bebop, rhythm and blues, and singers such as Frank Sinatra.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

At Burgess’ height of popularity, country music had transitioned from the rambunctious sounds of a honky-tonk to being more influenced by rhythm and blues.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

The Rolling Stones were a rhythm and blues band.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

He never learned to read or score music, but he had a strong ear for pop idioms, including country, jazz, and rhythm and blues.

From New York Times • May 1, 2024

Organizers invited an exhilarating mix of performers: there would be rock and roll, rhythm and blues, folk and country.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge