panoply

American  

[pan-uh-plee] / ˈpæn ə pli /

noun

• panoplies
  plural

1. a wide-ranging and impressive array or display.

   the dazzling panoply of the maharaja's procession; the panoply of European history.

2. a complete suit of armor.

3. a protective covering.

4. full ceremonial attire or paraphernalia; special dress and equipment.

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panoply British  

/ ˈpænəplɪ /

noun

1. a complete or magnificent array

2. the entire equipment of a warrior

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• panoplied
  adjective
• unpanoplied
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• panoplies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of panoply

1570–80; < Greek panoplía full complement of arms and armor, equivalent to pan- pan- + ( h ) ópl ( a ) arms, armor ( cf. hoplite) + -ia -ia

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Explanation

A panoply is a collection or an assortment of things. You might be eager to show off your panoply of bobble-head dolls when friends come to your house. An array or display of things is a panoply, so you can show off your panoply of spooky clown paintings, but you can also display a panoply of dance moves or talk about the panoply of flags at the parade — as long as it's a complete or impressive display, it's a true panoply. In ancient Greece, the word was used exclusively to talk about military costumes which were always suits of armor.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

panoply panoplies

The conflict in Ukraine is just one of the panoply of wars in recent years that have revealed once again the disastrous impact of conflict on cultural heritage.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

He renders the original’s panoply of suffering in accessible English, as in this view of Satan: “With six eyes / He wept, and three chins let the foul tears fall / And bloody foam.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

After so many trips, he knows the crew, knows where the train will pause long enough for him to shave, knows he can count on chatting with “a whole panoply of folks every time.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

That meeting — set for Oct. 28-29 — comes at a time when the Federal Reserve has to decide on monetary policy without the full panoply of government data it would ordinarily rely on.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2025

Sir Grummore Grummursum was cantering up the clearing in full panoply of war.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

For better or for worse, Turkey became a republic, a midget of a state compared to its former self; all the old panoplies of government were thrown overboard.

From Time Magazine Archive

Long rows of windows ranged away, separated by panoplies, in relievo, and by busts on small pedestals.

From The Man Who Laughs by Victor Hugo

Eight panoplies of arms, which had been improvised the same morning by the armorers of the corps, embellished the walls and railings.

From The Man With The Broken Ear by Henry Holt

The border of the basin was made of ancient marble bas-reliefs, representing136 panoplies, griffins, etc.

From Pagan and Christian Rome by Rodolfo Amedeo Lanciani

With all these panoplies Of gold that filled our Shepherd's heart with joy, Bid Rhesus welcome, as war-friend to Troy.

From The Rhesus of Euripedes by Euripedes

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Related Words

• array

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