snake dance

or snake-dance

[ sneyk dans ]

noun

1. any ceremonial dance, such as that of the Hopi or Chickasaw people, in which snakes or representations of snakes are handled or imitated by the dancers.
2. a parade or procession, especially in celebration of a sports victory, in which the participants weave in single file in a serpentine course. Compare conga line ( def 3 ).

verb (used without object)

, snake danced, snake danc·ing.

1. to perform a snake dance.

snake dance

noun

1. a ceremonial dance, performed by the priests of the American Hopi Indians, in which live snakes are held in the mouth
2. 1. the swaying movements of snakes responding to a snake charmer
   2. a Hindu dance in which performers imitate such snake movements

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake dance¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

There is just no way our puny little snake dance and locking arms blocks any of that.

From New York Times

Trump the Republican was always a strain to credulity, but people can make themselves believe just about anything, as thousands of years of ritual sacrifice and snake dances confirm.

From Washington Post

What he is referring to is the snake dance.

From The Verge

Sheriff George Byers would block the road so the students could do a snake dance from the high school, through the Golden Bubble and back to the school.

From Washington Times

There was dancing, singing, and finally, a snake dance up and down the deck.

From Washington Post