prom

¹ American  

[prom] / prɒm /

noun

1. a formal dance, especially one held by a high school or college class at the end of an academic year.

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PROM ² American  

[prom] / prɒm /

noun

Computers.

1. a memory chip whose contents can be programmed by a user or manufacturer for a specific purpose.

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prom. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. promontory.

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prom ¹ British  

/ prɒm /

noun

1. short for promenade promenade concert

2. informal short for promenade

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PROM ² British  

/ prɒm /

acronym

1. programmable read only memory

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Etymology

Origin of prom¹

1890–95, short for promenade

Origin of PROM²

p(rogrammable) r(ead)-o(nly) m(emory)

Explanation

A prom is a formal dance at the end of a school year. For many American high schools, the senior prom is a big deal. Kids get dressed up and then get embarrassed by parents who take too many photos. Students going to a prom will sometimes rent limousines to get there, and dress in fancy gowns and tuxedos. The prom itself is generally a much fancier version of a school dance, often held in a hotel or a gussied-up school gymnasium. The word dates from the late nineteenth century, an American English shortening of promenade, which means "to stroll," but also "to dance in couples with joined hands."

Example Sentences

We did every major event here, prom, homecoming, all the homies would come here and take photos across the different points of the house.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

A mother of twin girls who was left shocked by the price of prom dresses has started a boutique where outfits and suits can be hired for free.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

The severity of seemingly mundane, everyday anxieties — school bullies, the prom, graduation, obnoxious Cher-obsessed college roommates — is on par with demons trying to hasten the apocalypse.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Her prom dreams inch closer as her lies begin to mount and her new alabaster skin starts peeling off at extremely inopportune moments.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Because of the Mason developments, though, that doesn’t seem super likely for prom.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

• gala