rhythm-and-blues

[ rith-uh m-uh n-blooz ]
/ ˈrɪð əm ənˈbluz /

noun

a folk-based but urbanized form of black popular music that is marked by strong, repetitious rhythms and simple melodies and was developed, in a commercialized form, into rock-'n'-roll.

Origin of rhythm-and-blues

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

British Dictionary definitions for rhythm and blues

rhythm and blues

noun

(functioning as singular) any of various kinds of popular music derived from or influenced by the blues Abbreviation: R & B