Illustration of polonaise
- polonaise 1
polonaise
noun
po·lo·naise
ˌpä-lə-ˈnāz 
ˌpō-
1
: an elaborate short-sleeved overdress with a fitted waist and a draped cutaway overskirt
2
a
: a stately Polish processional dance popular in 19th century Europe
b
: music for this dance in moderate ³/₄ time
Examples of polonaise in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chopin's major piano works include mazurkas, waltzes, nocturnes, polonaises, the instrumental ballade (which Chopin created as an instrumental genre), études, impromptus, scherzi, preludes, and sonatas, some published only posthumously.
—
New Atlas, 9 June 2025
This now modern city founded in the 13th century, whose historic center was left almost entirely to ruin during World War II, is singing a more progressive tune, far from the polonaise.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
Mac begins the evening in fifties-hostess splendor: a wig of rose-colored tulle, pink cigarette pants, and a dress with panniers à la polonaise.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024
The president, accompanied by other distinguished guests, was all smiles, dancing a polonaise, shaking hands and posing for pictures with festive participants.
—Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2023
The technique of frying beans, cauliflower and asparagus with breadcrumbs is known as polonaise.
—Nikki O'Neill, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023
The declamations at the opening of the polonaise were a perfect opportunity to highlight the clarion strength and precision of the brass.
—Lukas Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022
And the Boston Ballet Orchestra, under music director Mischa Santora, gave an easy lilt to the proceedings, particularly the first-act waltz and polonaise.
—Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022
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New Atlas, 9 June 2025
This now modern city founded in the 13th century, whose historic center was left almost entirely to ruin during World War II, is singing a more progressive tune, far from the polonaise.
—Kasia Dietz, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024
Mac begins the evening in fifties-hostess splendor: a wig of rose-colored tulle, pink cigarette pants, and a dress with panniers à la polonaise.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024
The president, accompanied by other distinguished guests, was all smiles, dancing a polonaise, shaking hands and posing for pictures with festive participants.
—Danuta Hamlin, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2023
The technique of frying beans, cauliflower and asparagus with breadcrumbs is known as polonaise.
—Nikki O'Neill, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023
The declamations at the opening of the polonaise were a perfect opportunity to highlight the clarion strength and precision of the brass.
—Lukas Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022
And the Boston Ballet Orchestra, under music director Mischa Santora, gave an easy lilt to the proceedings, particularly the first-act waltz and polonaise.
—Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Polonaise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polonaise. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polonaise
noun
po·lo·naise
ˌpäl-ə-ˈnāz
ˌpō-lə-
: a dignified 19th century Polish dance
Etymology
from French polonaise "a fancy woman's dress or gown," literally, "a Polish gown," from polonaise (adjective), feminine form of polonais "Polish"
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