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

Amenities and experiences Aside from dining at La Cour Jardin, the space also serves as a venue for pop-up exhibitions, an outdoor cinema, and a twinkling ice rink in winter. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

While the state still owes millions of dollars for the past year of pop-up immigration detention centers, the report showed little plans for Florida to slow down its emergency spending on immigration. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Over the past year, the organization hosted 96 corporate and community groups at its Brooklyn warehouse and developed pop-up partnerships and a wholesale reuse program that now includes five partners outside New York City. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Officials said public feedback collected through workshops, stakeholder meetings, pop-up events and previous surveys has identified congestion, unreliable travel times, safety and limited alternatives to driving as recurring concerns. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

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