1. a member of a gang, especially one involved in criminal activity
Usage: slang; informal; often used in hip-hop culture and music

1. relating to or characteristic of gang culture or gang members; tough or street-oriented in style or attitude
Usage: slang; informal; often used in hip-hop and popular culture

Examples

• The movie portrayed the lives of gangsta characters in the inner city.
• He adopted a gangsta style with baggy clothes and gold chains.
• The rapper's gangsta persona was very different from his real-life personality.
• Gangsta rap became a major genre in hip-hop music during the 1990s.
• She didn't want her son hanging around with gangsta types.
• The novel explored the gangsta lifestyle and its consequences.