Tejano

[ tey-hah-noh, tuh‑ ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tejano¹

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

Example Sentences

Her exuberant performance of the iconic Tejano music superstar in the film, which portrayed both Selena’s meteoric rise to fame and her untimely and tragic end, was critically acclaimed and netted Lopez her first Golden Globe nomination.

From Time

I put a photo of my grandmother in the kitchen and blasted Tejano music.

From The Daily Beast

We were drifting slowly forward as in a dream, with faraway Tejano music filling the air.

From The Daily Beast

Texans are considered as of a different nation, and are distinguished as Tehneko from the Spanish Tejano.

From Project Gutenberg

“Since you had the disposal of the Tejano prisoners, I can understand that,” returned the Dictator, with a significant shrug.

From Project Gutenberg

The Tejano, in this case, took the law into his own hands, and severely chastised the jealous pelado.

From Project Gutenberg

A Tejano, was his reflection—what should he know of the sword?

From Project Gutenberg