Pokémon

American  

[poh-kee-mahn, ‐key‐] / ˈpoʊ kiˌmɑn, ‐keɪ‐ /

Trademark.

1. a media franchise including video games, animated television series, movies, card games, etc. that depict a fictional class of pet monsters and their trainers.

2. a pet monster in this fictional world.

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Etymology

Origin of Pokémon

1995–2000; shortening of Japanese Poketto Monsutā , itself a loan translation of English pocket monsters

Example Sentences

"This was heartbreaking but as a business, as a community we'll come back from it. We love Pokémon."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

“Charizard and Pikachu, they’re kind of bubbly and kind of lighthearted,” he said while shuffling through Pokémon cards and other themed paraphernalia.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

At its peak, Unity was a wildly popular game engine and the driving force behind viral crazes like Pokémon Go.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

In a way, professional sports teams could be seen as extremely expensive collectibles, like a high-dollar Pokémon or baseball card.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

They were alone except for Coach Hedge, who was back on the quarterdeck singing the Pokémon theme song.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan