pop rock

American

[pop rok] / ˈpɒp ˌrɒk /

noun

a genre of music that fuses the driving beat and energy of rock-’n’-roll with less aggressive lyrics, higher performance and production values, and greater emphasis on well-crafted melodies.

Etymology

Origin of pop rock

First recorded in 1955–60

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.

Tracks such as "Believer", "Thunder" and "Radioactive" have made the band one of the most popular pop rock groups worldwide.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

From the basement, a cross between a man cave and a photo studio, Williams has made parodies of pop, rock, R&B, rap and country songs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

The score follows suit, with Curtis Moore’s music and Amanda Green’s lyrics setting up the period flavor only to bust out in Broadway-style pop, rock and even hip-hop.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2025

The ceremony, which takes place in LA on Sunday night, runs for a staggering eight hours, attracting the biggest stars in pop, rock, country and hip-hop.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2025

The pop rock and alternative rock singer released a series of singles and two EPs in 2022 and 2023.

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2025

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023