pomp

[ pomp ]

noun

1. stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence.
2. ostentatious or vain display, especially of dignity or importance.
3. pomps, pompous displays, actions, or things:

   The official was accompanied by all the pomps of his high position.

4. Archaic. a stately or splendid procession; pageant.

pomp

/ pɒmp /

noun

1. stately or magnificent display; ceremonial splendour
2. vain display, esp of dignity or importance
3. obsolete.
   a procession or pageant

Other Words From

• pompless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pomp¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Latin pompa display, parade, procession < Greek pompḗ originally, a sending, akin to pémpein to send

Word History and Origins

Origin of pomp¹

C14: from Old French pompe, from Latin pompa procession, from Greek pompē; related to Greek pompein to send

Example Sentences

“And to have those conversations, as difficult as they may be ... And that’s what it’s about. Always. Not about the pomp and circumstance and prestige, but it’s about the work.”

From Los Angeles Times

As president, he loved the pomp of a military parade, but hated facing the real people who serve — and are sometimes hurt or killed in real-world combat.

From Salon

The pomp and ceremony of royalty doesn’t always sit easily with Prince William, neither does some of the leadership he has seen globally.

From BBC

Alito joined in monarchist, militaristic pomp on the eve of the first anniversary of Donald Trump’s election to the presidency, at a time when the white supremacist violence of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville was still fresh.

From Slate

The cloistered politicking devolves into lunchroom antics and social warfare akin to a high school movie, but this swirling whirlpool of interpersonal drama is grounded by the pomp and circumstance of centuries-old ritual: garments and ballots and hierarchy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fanfare
• formality
• grandeur
• solemnity
• splendor