rumba

American  

[ruhm-buh, room-, room-] / ˈrʌm bə, ˈrʊm-, ˈrum- /

Also rhumba

noun

rumbas plural

1. a dance, Cuban in origin and complex in rhythm.

2. an imitation or adaptation of this dance in the United States.

3. music for this dance or in its rhythm.

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verb (used without object)

rumbaed, rumbaing

1. to dance the rumba.

rumba British  

/ ˈrʌmbə, ˈrʊm- /

noun

1. a rhythmic and syncopated Cuban dance in duple time

2. a ballroom dance derived from this

3. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• rumbas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rumba

First recorded in 1910–15; from Latin American Spanish (Cuba): literally, “party; spree,” from Spanish rumbo “commotion, uproar,” earlier “ostentation, pomp”; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

The singer's unique style and artistry has "contributed to the promotion of Congolese rumba and the dissemination of Congolese culture to an international audience," she added.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Doundoulakis embraced the advice, learning the rumba and generally, in the author’s words, “living like a Greek playboy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

Both 72, they call the event Los Tradicionales — “the traditional ones” — because their goal is to help preserve Cuba’s rich dance heritage, from rumba to timba to casino, an ancestor of salsa.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

For Glodi Nkiadiasivi, the museum's assistant director, Congolese rumba is "under threat" of being forgotten.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

We begin setting the table while some sort of rumba music plays, the kind Lola and the aunties would start dancing to if they heard it.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio