“Yacht rock” is a retronym for a broad music style commonly associated with soft rock, one of the most successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Drawing on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, common traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies.

The term “yacht rock” was coined in 2005 by the makers of the online video series of the same name, and was derived from its association with the popular leisure activity of sailing.

The term “yacht rock” did not exist contemporaneously with the music the term describes, from about 1975 to 1984. It refers to “adult-oriented rock” or “West Coast Sound”. Understood as a pejorative term, “yacht rock” referred to a stereotypical yuppie yacht owner enjoying smooth music while sailing.