Tejano

American  

[tey-hah-noh, tuh‑] / teɪˈhɑ noʊ, tə‑ /

noun

1. a Texas native or resident of Mexican or Mexican American birth or descent.

   The author’s newest short stories focus on a network of relationships between Tejanos and Anglos in a fictional Texas town.

2. (often lowercase) a style of Mexican American popular music that features the accordion and blends the polka with various forms of traditional Mexican music, now often including synthesizers and rock music.

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Etymology

Origin of Tejano

From Spanish (Mexico, Texas): literally, “Texan,” from Tejas Texas ( def. ) + masculine adjective suffix -ano ( see -an ( def. )); Tejano def. 1 was first recorded in 1925–30; Tejano def. 2 was first recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

This isn’t bro country; it’s songs for aching hearts, for dreamers, for the lovelorn, steeped in pop, rock, Tejano and Mariachi.

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2025

Because remember, Isabel, our genre of music — Tejano music — in the realm of Latin music is tiny.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

But the one I’m most fascinated with is your work with Tejano singer Bobby Pulido, with whom you recorded the song “Separarnos” for your 2022 album “Buen Pez.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 7, 2025

In the 30 years since her tragic death, the Tejano queen’s star has never shone brighter, inspiring millions of Latinos and a whole new generation of artists.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

She’d cleaned out his bank account before she left him, taking with her every penny he’d ever saved from his years as a quasi-famous Tejano singer.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall