1. a lively French dance in duple or quadruple time, popular in the 17th and 18th centuries
Usage: historical; music
2. the music composed for this dance
Usage: music

Examples

• The court dancers performed an elegant rigaudon at the royal ball.
• Bach composed several rigaudons as part of his keyboard suites.
• The rigaudon was characterized by its quick, jumping steps.
• Musicians practiced the rigaudon’s distinctive rhythm for the concert.
• The dance master taught the students the traditional rigaudon movements.
• Rameau included a famous rigaudon in his harpsichord pieces.