lampoon

American  

[lam-poon] / læmˈpun /

noun

1. a sharp, often virulent satire directed against an individual or institution; a work of literature, art, or the like, ridiculing severely the character or behavior of a person, society, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to mock or ridicule in a lampoon.

   to lampoon important leaders in the government.

lampoon British  

/ læmˈpuːn /

noun

1. a satire in prose or verse ridiculing a person, literary work, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to attack or satirize in a lampoon

Related Words

See satire.

Other Word Forms

• lampooner noun
• lampoonery noun
• lampoonist noun
• unlampooned adjective

Etymology

Origin of lampoon

First recorded in 1635–45; from French lampon, said to be noun use of lampons “let us guzzle” (from a drinking song), imperative of lamper, akin to laper “to lap up,” from Germanic; lap ³

Example Sentences

Hall was lampooning behavior men in Hollywood have gotten away with for eons, and she’s a sharp comic actor.

From Salon

Anyone lampooned with a scintilla of brutality knows that an appearance can temporarily inoculate against accusations of humorlessness.

From Salon

One can see the attraction for writers: the insular setting, the acceptance of eccentricity, the entrenchment of the otherwise unemployable, and the ease by which one can lampoon social trends.

From The Wall Street Journal

Where “The Pitt” inspires awe at what these doctors achieve with a paucity of resources, time and patience, “Scrubs” lampoons the absurdity of a corporatized medical system steadily grinding down doctor and patient alike.

From Salon

In fact, in an episode that aired earlier that year, Murphy lampooned the political error that would follow Jackson for the rest of his life.

From Salon

Related Words

• caricature
• mock
• parody
• satirize