popped; popping; pops
Definition of pop
(Entry 1 of 8)
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
1a
: 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
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
2
: 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
pop the question
: to propose marriage
pop
noun (1)Definition of pop (Entry 2 of 8)
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
a pop
1
: for each one : apiece
tickets at $10 a pop
2
: for each attempt
rushed for an average of five yards a pop
pop
adverbDefinition of pop (Entry 3 of 8)
: like or with a pop : suddenly
—often used interjectionally
pop
noun (2)Definition of pop (Entry 4 of 8)
: father
pop
adjectiveDefinition of pop (Entry 5 of 8)
1
: 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
2a
: of or relating to pop art
pop painter
b
: having, using, or imitating themes or techniques characteristic of pop art
pop movie
pop
noun (3)Definition of pop (Entry 6 of 8)
1a
: 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
pop
abbreviation (1)Definition of pop (Entry 7 of 8)
population
POP
abbreviation (2)Definition of POP (Entry 8 of 8)
point of purchase
Buying Guide
Our Reviews team has selected the best beverage coolers.
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share pop
Time Traveler for pop
The first known use of pop was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century