war dance

American  

noun

1. a dance preliminary to going into battle or in celebration of a victory, as formerly among American Indians.

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war dance British  

noun

1. a ceremonial dance performed before going to battle or after victory, esp by certain North American Indian peoples

2. a dance representing warlike action

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Etymology

Origin of war dance

An Americanism dating back to 1705–15

Example Sentences

The All Blacks' pre-match ceremonial war dance is one of rugby's iconic sights.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2023

The haka, the ceremonial war dance or challenge, is perhaps the best-known Māori cultural touchstone outside New Zealand, due to its use by the All Blacks, the country’s three-time World Cup-champion rugby team.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Movement director Jonathan Goddard is in more of a haka mood, he says, before briefly demonstrating the Maori war dance.

From Washington Post • Mar. 1, 2023

In 2001 we started a partnership with a company there and the first time I visited, some of the staff did a war dance and presented me with the club.

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2016

Accomplished ballroom dancers, sluggards who knew neither traditional nor Western dancing, all joined in the indlamu, the traditional Zulu war dance.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela