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

The Black History Month reception held at the White House on Thursday had all of the pomp of celebrations past. —Erica L. Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Many high-end restaurants, especially in Texas, try to offer fancy tacos at inflated prices without delivering anything worthy of the cost or pomp. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

His pontificate has been defined by a rejection of pomp. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025

Turning the pope’s election into a trans referendum Hidden within the fake pomp and banal compositions of Conclave is a litany of left-wing nostrums, spoken by fictitious characters during the election of a new pope. —Armond White, National Review, 19 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for pomp

• comp
• pompe
• romp
• stomp
• swamp

Kids Definition

pomp

noun

ˈpämp 

1

: a show of magnificence : splendor

the pomp of a royal ceremony

2

: showy display