pom-pom

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈpäm-ˌpäm 

1

: an ornamental ball or tuft used especially on clothing, caps, or costumes

2

: a handheld usually brightly colored fluffy ball flourished by cheerleaders

pom-pom

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an automatic antiaircraft gun of 20 to 40 millimeters mounted especially on ships

Examples of pom-pom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The dance team waved gold pom-poms and Buford coaches, administrators and both teams took seats around the podium and seven national championship trophies. —Jack Leo, AJC.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Decorate with strips of felt for cuffs and pom-poms. —Caylin Harris, Parents, 21 Dec. 2025

McDonald's is also selling less expensive Grimace gear for the holidays, including a coordinating beanie with a pom-pom that is on sale for $15. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025

Nothing beats cuteness except watching violence be enacted upon the cuteness; like an aural Happy Tree Friends, Skulls tosses pom-poms of fuzz into the sky then desecrates them. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of pompon

Noun (2)

imitative; from the sound of its discharge

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pom-pom

• aplomb
• balaam
• cocom
• embalm
• islam
• pogrom
• salaam
• sitcom
• balm
• bom
• bomb
• calm

Kids Definition

pom-pom

noun

ˈpäm-ˌpäm

1

: a fluffy ball used as trimming on clothing

2

: a handheld usually brightly colored fluffy ball waved by cheerleaders