lampoon

[ lam-poon ]

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.

verb (used with object)

1. to mock or ridicule in a lampoon:

   to lampoon important leaders in the government.

lampoon

/ læmˈpuːn /

noun

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

verb

1. tr to attack or satirize in a lampoon

Derived Forms

• lamˈpooner, noun
• lamˈpoonery, noun

Other Words From

• lam·pooner lam·poonist noun
• lam·pooner·y noun
• unlam·pooned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lampoon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lampoon¹

C17: from French lampon, perhaps from lampons let us drink (frequently used as a refrain in poems)

Synonym Study

See satire.

Example Sentences

The widespread response to the video was to lampoon it, but presumably a nonzero fraction of the audience thought it was a good idea.

From Slate

It was once common for Republicans like Trump to lampoon Carter.

From Seattle Times

We laughed over ‘National Lampoon’ at the bar.

From Los Angeles Times

We laughed over ‘National Lampoon’ at the bar.

From Los Angeles Times

We laughed over ‘National Lampoon’ at the bar.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• caricature
• mock
• parody
• satirize