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norteño

American  
[nawr-teyn-yoh, nawr-te-nyoh] / nɔrˈteɪn yoʊ, nɔrˈtɛ nyoʊ /

adjective

  1. of or relating to northern Mexico, the border area of Mexico and the United States, the people of this region, or their dialect of Spanish.


noun

  1. Also called norteña music.  Also called Tex-Mex.  Also called norteña.  a lively, polkalike folk music chiefly of southern Texas and northern Mexico, usually with Spanish lyrics and played on accordion and 12-string guitar, sometimes with fiddle and saxophone.

Etymology

Origin of norteño

First recorded in 1950–55; from Spanish (Mexico, Texas): literally, “northern(er),” equivalent to nort(e) “north” + -eño a suffix forming nouns and adjectives from placenames; Madrileño ( def. ); north ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Lines of folklorico dancers, norteño musicians and lowrider bikers normally burst with cultural pride at the Milpas Street Holiday Parade on Santa Barbara’s Eastside.

From Los Angeles Times

Technology was a great ally of the Nortec Collective — it allowed us to deconstruct the norteño sound and create something new.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2019, the group became the first norteño band to perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and have played massive gigs at Dodger Stadium, New York’s Central Park and Mexico City’s Zócalo Plaza.

From Los Angeles Times

The Texas norteño group is also up in the same category for their album “Y Lo Que Viene.”

From Los Angeles Times

Known for its online presence, P1Harmony achieved a viral moment back in 2021, wilding out on a livestream when fans suggested they play “La Chona” by the norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

From Los Angeles Times