pop

1 of 8

verb

popped; popping; pops

transitive verb

1
: to strike or knock sharply : hit
popped him in the jaw
2
: to push, put, or thrust suddenly or briefly
pops a grape into his mouth
She popped her head in the door.
Pop the pastry in the oven for ten minutes.
3
: to cause to explode or burst open
popped some popcorn
pop the trunk
4
: to fire at : shoot
5
: to take (pills) especially frequently or habitually
6
: to open with a pop
pop a cold beer
7
: to flip (something) into an upturned position
pop a collar

intransitive verb

1
a
: to go, come, or appear suddenly
images popping up on the screen
New businesses are popping up all over town.
((figurative)) We were discussing candidates for the job, and your name popped up.
She popped in for a visit.
We're going to pop next door for a minute.
The idea just popped into my head.
The chipmunk popped out of its burrow.
: to move suddenly from one position or state to another
Her eyes popped open.
When I heard the siren, I popped straight up in bed.
b
: to escape or break away from something (such as a point of attachment) usually suddenly or unexpectedly
The lid keeps popping off of the container.
A couple of screws popped loose.
The instant I felt the front tires lurch forward, I applied some throttle and the truck popped free.Slaton L. White
c
: to be or become striking or prominent
colors that pop
… a mild sauce punctuated with tiny dried shrimp that pop with salinity.John Kessler
2
: to make or burst with a sharp sound
a balloon popped
3
: to protrude or seem to protrude from the sockets : to open very wide
eyes popping with amazement
4
: to shoot with a firearm
5
: to hit a pop fly
often used with up or out

pop

2 of 8

noun (1)

1
: a sharp explosive sound
2
: a shot from a gun
3
4
5
: power to hit a baseball hard
a hitter with some pop in his bat
6
: a drink or shot of alcohol
7
: a small portion of something that makes a vivid impression
… clean lines … set off by bright pops of color …Catherine Piercy

pop

3 of 8

adverb

: like or with a pop : suddenly
often used interjectionally

pop

4 of 8

noun (2)

: father

pop

5 of 8

adjective

1
: popular
pop music
: such as
a
: of or relating to popular music
pop singer
b
: of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media
pop psychology
pop grammarians
pop society
2
a
: of or relating to pop art
pop painter
b
: having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art
pop movie

pop

6 of 8

noun (3)

1
a
: popular music
b
pops plural : an orchestra that plays light classical and popular music
went to hear the Boston Pops
also : light classical and popular music played typically by an orchestra
a summer pops concert
2
3
: pop culture

pop

7 of 8

abbreviation (1)

population

POP

8 of 8

abbreviation (2)

point of purchase
Phrases
pop the question
: to propose marriage
a pop
1
: for each one : apiece
tickets at $10 a pop
2
: for each attempt
rushed for an average of five yards a pop

Examples of pop in a Sentence

Verb We heard the sound of corks popping as the celebration began. One of the buttons popped off my sweater. Guns were popping in the distance. We popped some popcorn in the microwave. The popcorn is done popping. I didn't mean to say that—it just popped out. Her shoulder popped out of its socket. He opened the box, and out popped a mouse. If you are busy, I can pop back in later. My neighbor popped in for a visit. Noun (1) the soda can opened with a sharp pop Noun (2) ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are Adjective interested in the pop fiction that most of the other publishing houses happily churned out
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
These ghost forests are popping up around North Carolina and the East Coast, affecting a vast number of tree species from cypress to pines. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Black Friday mattress deals are already popping up online, though most won’t start until the second week of November or midnight on Black Friday. Rachael Harris, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024 Halloween items hit shelves as early as August, and Christmas and Hanukkah decorations popped up in October or even September. Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 Investors cheered the third-quarter news, however, with shares popping roughly 6% Wednesday morning. Greg McKenna, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pop 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pop.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English poppen, of imitative origin

Noun (2)

short for poppa

Adjective

by shortening

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1625, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of pop was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pop

Cite this Entry

“Pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pop. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

pop

1 of 6 verb
popped; popping
1
: to burst or cause to burst with a pop
the balloon popped
we popped corn
2
: to go, come, push, or enter quickly or suddenly
pop into bed
popped a grape into my mouth
3
: to shoot with a gun
4
: to bulge from the sockets
eyes popping with surprise
5
: to hit a pop fly

pop

2 of 6 noun
1
: a sharp explosive sound
2
: a shot from a gun
3
: a flavored carbonated beverage

pop

3 of 6 adverb
: like or with a pop : suddenly

pop

4 of 6 noun

pop

5 of 6 adjective
1
a
: popular sense 2
pop music
b
: of or relating to pop music
a pop singer
2
: of, relating to, or being the behavior and interests of average people and especially young people

pop

6 of 6 noun
: popular music
listens to pop
Etymology

Verb

Middle English poppen "to hit, burst open"; a word created to imitate the sound made when something bursts open

Noun

a shortened form of poppa, an altered form of papa

Adjective

a shortened form of popular

More from Merriam-Webster on pop

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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