popped; popping; pops
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
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
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
John Kessler2
: 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
see also:
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
: pop art
3
: pop culture
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Shares of Zoetis and Elanco Animal Health popped in Thursday's trading, and typically dormant options markets on the stocks woke up with a heavy bullish bias.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Sanneh charts the genesis, rise, and cultural importance of rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance, and pop, while sharing anecdotes from his lifelong engagement with music along the way.
—Juliet Izon, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Canton scored twice in the top of the second to tie it at 2-2, but a Bulldogs dropped pop up helped King Philip retake the lead in the inning’s bottom half, and Cady’s two-out single later in the frame gave the Warriors a 5-2 cushion.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Denoted as such by the three co-founders, who met and worked in the Big Smoke, this Paris pub in the Marais is always popping.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Shares of Zoetis and Elanco Animal Health popped in Thursday's trading, and typically dormant options markets on the stocks woke up with a heavy bullish bias.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Sanneh charts the genesis, rise, and cultural importance of rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance, and pop, while sharing anecdotes from his lifelong engagement with music along the way.
—Juliet Izon, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Canton scored twice in the top of the second to tie it at 2-2, but a Bulldogs dropped pop up helped King Philip retake the lead in the inning’s bottom half, and Cady’s two-out single later in the frame gave the Warriors a 5-2 cushion.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Pop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pop. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
: 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 nounpop
5 of 6 adjective1
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
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