「舞蹈是人類因為美學訴求所創作並且表演的動作」(Dance is human movement created and expressed for an aesthetic purpose)[1]
「舞蹈是人體在空間中運動時,以特定的形式及風格所進行的短暫呈現。舞蹈一般會是刻意選擇,而有控制的節奏運動。所產生的結果被表演者以及特定群體中的觀眾認為是舞蹈。」(Dance is a transient mode of expression performed in a given form and style by the human body moving in space. Dance occurs through purposefully selected and controlled rhythmic movements; the resulting phenomenon is recognized as dance both by the performer and the observing members of a given group.)[2]
「舞蹈是由有目的的(包括個人選擇以及社會學習)、刻意有節奏旳、以及有文化模式的非語言人體動作組成(以舞者的觀點,多半也被和舞者相同文化的觀眾所接受),而且這些動作和日常的動作中不同。動作(在時間、空間或是心力上)有其內在美學上的價值(在舞者文化上是以適當的方式表達,而且有其潛力),也有其象征性的潛力。」(Dance is human behaviour composed (from the dancer’s perspective, which is usually shared by the audience members of the dancer’s culture) of purposeful (individual choice and social learning play a role), intentionally rhythmical, and culturally patterned sequences of nonverbal body movement mostly other than those performed in ordinary motor activities. The motion (in time, space, and with effort) has an inherent and aesthetic value (the notion of appropriateness and competency as viewed by the dancer’s culture) and symbolic potential.)[3]