pop-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈpäp-ˌəp 

1

: pop fly

2

: a component or device that pops up

3

: a pop-up book

4

: a pop-up window on a computer screen

pop-up

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or having a component or device that pops up

a pop-up book

2

: appearing suddenly: such as

a

computing : appearing suddenly on a screen over another window or display

a pop-up window

a pop-up ad

b

of a business : set up quickly for short-term operation in a temporary location

pop-up stores/shops

pop-up retail

The front lawn of nearly every home becomes either a parking lot or a pop-up market, perfect for hungry, thirsty fans held captive by the … lines of traffic.

—Juliet Macur

c

meteorology : appearing or developing quickly in isolation rather than as part of a line or grouping of storms

By Thursday you should be able to go coast to coast and see only pop-up thunderstorms …

—Paul Clark

Late summer is prime time for "pop-up" thunderstorms: storms born of hot, moist air that occur without regard to frontal activity or other large weather disturbances that are more easily understood.

—The Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)

Examples of pop-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Through this pop-up, fans were able to get their fill of the spectacle of the Cowboy Carter Tour in tandem with the Cécred Roadshow. —Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Townsend did a pop-up shop in New York City for her new brand during Fan Week. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Adjective

What started as a one-off Eventbrite invitation to a pop-up called Mic Drop Workshop has, seven years later, grown into the leading pipeline of women speakers ready for the stage; and the first stop for event planners eager to bring more female voices to the mic. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Around that time, The StrEatery, a restaurant located in the Beechmont neighborhood, opened a pop-up shelter for individuals in need, but it was ordered to close due to permitting violations, The Courier Journal reported. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pop-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

pop-up

1 of 2 noun

ˈpäp-ˌəp

1

: pop fly

2

: a pop-up window on a computer screen

pop-up

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or having a part or device that pops up

a pop-up book

2

: appearing suddenly on a computer screen

a pop-up window