variants
or less commonly oompah-pah
ˌüm-(ˌ)pä-ˈpä 
ˌu̇m-
: a repeated rhythmic bass accompaniment especially in a band
also
: music featuring such accompaniment
oompah
verb
Examples of oompah in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There’s an oompah band, of course, and those classic Oktoberfest contests like stein hoisting, keg tossing and even a costume contest.
—
Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Highlights include authentic German food and beers on tap along with oompah music by the Guggenbach-Buam band from Germany.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to oompah bands and chicken dances, festivities will include a car show with vintage Volkswagen Beetles and buses as well as sports watch parties.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 3 Sep. 2025
Revelers can dance to oompah music, enter a dirndl and lederhosen contest, twirl to the polka, choose from more than 50 kinds of beer, or eat bratwurst, apple strudel, fondue, and German tacos.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
From Old World German beer to authentic German food, oompah bands and an artisanal marketplace, this event promises an unforgettable Oktoberfest.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
The Alpine Players provide an oompah soundtrack, and there are stein-holding contests for adults and kids.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Every hall has a regular rotation of oompah bands, heavy on the brass.
—John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2019
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Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Highlights include authentic German food and beers on tap along with oompah music by the Guggenbach-Buam band from Germany.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to oompah bands and chicken dances, festivities will include a car show with vintage Volkswagen Beetles and buses as well as sports watch parties.
—Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 3 Sep. 2025
Revelers can dance to oompah music, enter a dirndl and lederhosen contest, twirl to the polka, choose from more than 50 kinds of beer, or eat bratwurst, apple strudel, fondue, and German tacos.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
From Old World German beer to authentic German food, oompah bands and an artisanal marketplace, this event promises an unforgettable Oktoberfest.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024
The Alpine Players provide an oompah soundtrack, and there are stein-holding contests for adults and kids.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
Every hall has a regular rotation of oompah bands, heavy on the brass.
—John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Oompah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oompah. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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