panoply

noun

pan·​o·​ply ˈpa-nə-plē 

plural panoplies

1

a

: a full suit of armor

Knights in panoply were ready for battle.

b

: ceremonial attire

The nobles were in panoply for the coronation.

2

: something forming a protective covering

faces dim in a panoply of smoke

—William Baucke

3

a

: a magnificent or impressive array

the full panoply of a military funeral

woods … in their full panoply of autumn foliage

—S. P. B. Mais

b

: a display of all appropriate appurtenances

no need for the panoply of power

windows … beyond which the usual panoply of modern mechanical conveniences can brazenly flourish

—Lewis Mumford

Did you know?

Despite having Greek origins and similar sounds, panoply is not related—etymologically or semantically—to monopoly; its history has more to do with Mediterranean warfare than Mediterranean Avenue. Panoply comes from the Greek word panoplia, which referred to the full suit of armor worn by hoplites, heavily armed infantry soldiers of ancient Greece. Panoplia is a blend of the prefix pan-, meaning “all,” and hopla, meaning “arms” or “armor.” (As you may have guessed, hopla is also an ancestor of hoplite.) Panoply entered English in the early 17th century with its Greek use intact: it referred to a full set of armor—an impressive array, you might say, of protective bits and bobs, from breastplates to brassards. Over time, panoply developed its figurative sense referring to an impressive, extensive collection or array of things, as in “She won the game by bankrupting her opponents with a panoply of properties built up with houses and hotels.”

Examples of panoply in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The island’s combination of gorge-like valleys and soaring ridges makes for a pleasing panoply of climbing routes. —AFAR Media, 28 Aug. 2025

Retailers jumped on the Amazon Prime Day bandwagon with a panoply of offerings, including sharp discounts and free shipping. —David Moin, Footwear News, 15 Aug. 2025

This will be the first time ESPN offers its full panoply of sports to people who don’t pay for a cable or satellite package. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

After two years in the wilderness, Ice Cream for Bears is entering thousands of stores, including Kroger banner stores, and rolling out a panoply of grizzly flavors. —Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek panoplia, from pan- + hopla arms, armor, plural of hoplon tool, weapon — more at hoplite

First Known Use

circa 1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

panoply

noun

pan·​o·​ply ˈpan-ə-plē 

plural panoplies

1

: a full suit of armor

2

: a protective covering

3

: a magnificent arrangement or display

panoplied

-plēd

adjective