pomp
Americannoun
-
stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence.
-
ostentatious or vain display, especially of dignity or importance.
-
pomps, pompous displays, actions, or things.
The official was accompanied by all the pomps of his high position.
-
Archaic. a stately or splendid procession; pageant.
noun
-
stately or magnificent display; ceremonial splendour
-
vain display, esp of dignity or importance
-
obsolete a procession or pageant
Usage
What are other ways to say pomp?
Pomp refers to stately or splendid display, or to display that is ostentatious or vain. When should you use pomp over show, display, or ostentation? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pomp
1275–1325; Middle English < Latin pompa display, parade, procession < Greek pompḗ originally, a sending, akin to pémpein to send
Explanation
Pomp is a ceremonial display, such as you'd find at the Independence Day parade in your town, where brass bands and men and women in full military dress march to patriotic songs, while citizens wave flags and cheer. Graduation ceremonies — with gowns, invocations, speeches, and the ceremonial conferring of degrees — are full of pomp. In fact, graduates traditionally march to a tune called "Pomp and Circumstance." Pomp used to be much more closely linked to the word pompous, or self-important, than it is now — an archaic meaning of pomp is over the top, ostentatious or vain.
Vocabulary lists containing pomp
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Great Gatsby
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Othello
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Princess Margaret was very ‘royal’ and loved the pomp and ceremony of living at Kensington Palace rather than the understated charm of the Old House.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
The one bit of unavoidable pomp was Dudamel conducting the premiere of John Williams’ “Bravo Gustavo,” commissioned by the L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
In 2019, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were welcomed to North Korea with great pomp and fanfare to celebrate the two countries' "unbreakable friendship".
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
While Putin's visit is not expected to receive the same pomp as Trump's, "the Xi-Putin relationship does not require that kind of performative reassurance", said Patricia Kim from the Brookings Institution in Washington.
From Barron's ● May 19, 2026
With some pomp and circumstance, Wallace stood in front of the Crowell house and gave a brief speech to the crowd of black spectators, white reporters, photographers, and our neighbors.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
