1
: a show of magnificence : splendor
every day begins … in a pomp of flaming coloursF. D. Ommanney
2
: a ceremonial or festival display (such as a train of followers or a pageant)
3
a
: ostentatious display : vainglory
b
: an ostentatious gesture or act

Examples of pomp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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No other professional sport treats its opening day with as much pomp and ceremony as baseball, in which flashbacks of openers from the past are always most welcome. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 But behind the Cold War pomp and propaganda, Camp Century formed a testing ground for a clandestine mission known as Project Iceworm. Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025 All this pomp and preservation, of course, only obscures the reality of what is happening. Cutter Wood, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 The Black History Month reception held at the White House on Thursday had all of the pomp of celebrations past. Erica L. Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pomp

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pompe, from Latin pompa procession, pomp, from Greek pompē act of sending, escort, procession, pomp, from pempein to send

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pomp was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pomp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pomp. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pomp

noun
1
: a show of magnificence : splendor
the pomp of a royal ceremony
2
: showy display

More from Merriam-Webster on pomp

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