pomp

noun

ˈpämp 

1

: a show of magnificence : splendor

every day begins … in a pomp of flaming colours

—F. D. Ommanney

2

: a ceremonial or festival display (such as a train of followers or a pageant)

3

a

: ostentatious display : vainglory

b

: an ostentatious gesture or act

Examples of pomp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sunday was Trump's first full day back in Washington since his Election Day victory and gave him a chance to energize core supporters before the official pomp of Inauguration Day. —Will Weissert, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025

The funeral, part of a week of events mourning the ex-president ahead of his burial in tiny Plains, Georgia, was packed with pageantry, intrigue, pomp and ceremony, in notable juxtaposition with Carter’s homespun life. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025

Between the promise and pomp of a new legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly returned to the Capitol clouded by the incoming Trump administration. —John Frank, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025

Following the military pomp, the group traveled back to the palace in a carriage procession to have lunch at the royal residence. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pompe, from Latin pompa procession, pomp, from Greek pompē act of sending, escort, procession, pomp, from pempein to send

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pomp

• pomp and circumstance

Kids Definition

pomp

noun

ˈpämp 

1

: a show of magnificence : splendor

the pomp of a royal ceremony

2

: showy display