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
1
: a sharp explosive sound
2
: a shot from a gun
3
: soda pop
4
: pop fly
5
: power to hit a baseball hard
a hitter with some pop in his bat
6
: a drink or shot of alcohol
7
: a small portion of something that makes a vivid impression
… clean lines … set off by bright pops of color …—Catherine Piercy
Catherine Piercy1
: popular
pop music
: such as
a
: of or relating to popular music
pop singer
b
: of or relating to the popular culture disseminated through the mass media
pop psychology
pop grammarians
pop society
2
a
: of or relating to pop art
pop painter
b
: having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art
pop movie
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
population
point of purchase
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.
Noun (1)
the soda can opened with a sharp pop
Noun (2)
ask your pop if he knows where the keys to the shed are
Adjective
interested in the pop fiction that most of the other publishing houses happily churned out
Recent Examples on the Web
Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
An iridescent, three-dimensional butterfly reminiscent of the singer's Lover era popped up as the centerpiece of the gift, and a card with the Grammy winner's full name was set below the sparkling figurine.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The mental-health struggles of idols have been well-documented since K-pop’s explosion, leading some artists to speak out or to avoid a public life at all.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025
In addition, she’s also toured as a guitarist, violinist, and backing vocalist for the Irish singer-songwriter Hozier and as an opener (and touring band member) for the pop-leaning rocker Butch Walker.
—Annie Zaleski, Chron, 5 Apr. 2023
Mike Wilson, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Written and produced alongside pop-rock maestro Andrew Watt with additional work from The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, the album tracks Carlile’s own untangling of deeply personal insecurities around ego, legacy, politics and independence.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
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
All around Turkey, Farm Bank produce stands were popping up.
—Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
An iridescent, three-dimensional butterfly reminiscent of the singer's Lover era popped up as the centerpiece of the gift, and a card with the Grammy winner's full name was set below the sparkling figurine.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
Despite her busy album rollout, the pop star has been in attendance at her fiancé’s games throughout the season.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
The mental-health struggles of idols have been well-documented since K-pop’s explosion, leading some artists to speak out or to avoid a public life at all.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Territorial fans who didn’t want commercial pop audiences infiltrating their scene in the first place are never too thrilled about new listeners or the pop-leaning pivots from their rock gods.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2025
In addition, she’s also toured as a guitarist, violinist, and backing vocalist for the Irish singer-songwriter Hozier and as an opener (and touring band member) for the pop-leaning rocker Butch Walker.
—Annie Zaleski, Chron, 5 Apr. 2023
Adjective
With the World Series opening Friday night in Toronto, the first advantage in the pop-culture subplot competition of the series went to Drake.
—Mike Wilson, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Written and produced alongside pop-rock maestro Andrew Watt with additional work from The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, the album tracks Carlile’s own untangling of deeply personal insecurities around ego, legacy, politics and independence.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025
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 31 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share