pops

American

[pops] / pɒps /

adjective

of or relating to a symphony orchestra specializing in popular or light classical music.

Thursday is pops night on the concert series.

noun

(used with a singular verb) Pops, a symphony orchestra specializing in popular and light classical music.

When you're in Boston be sure to hear the Pops.

Etymology

Origin of pops

First recorded in 1955–60; see origin at pop ²

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.

A gold microphone used by Mercury during a 1982 Top of the Pops performance made £151,200.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Pops of spring color were a welcome sight on the red carpet.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

It is now seeing customers return for exclusive toys like Statue of Liberty Funko Pops, as well as experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Here is the first blow at your morale, the Boston Pops playing “Strike up the Band.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

But thinking about Roza and about Sean and about Bomb Pops and the Rude boys made Finn’s ribs ache.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

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