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

Joe Toplyn broke into comedy in the 1980s, when a friend from the Harvard Lampoon tipped him off that a writing job was opening up at David Letterman’s late-night show.

From Time

The idea was for Bennifer to perform a cheeky lampoon of their own personas — but the parody didn’t land.

From Vox

After its release, J2 Production bought the National Lampoon film brand.

From The Daily Beast

I read that you went to Harvard and wrote for the Lampoon there, but how did you break into professional comedy?

From The Daily Beast

His first day back at the Lampoon, he showed a copy of it to Beard.

From The Daily Beast

Soon a deal was struck, and in April 1970, the first issue of National Lampoon made its appearance.

From The Daily Beast

"He didn't respect his talent," says Michael Gross, the former Lampoon art director, who saw him frequently in California.

From The Daily Beast

I called Liszt's article a criticism, but "lampoon" or "libel" would have been a more appropriate designation.

From Project Gutenberg

Lampoon itself would disdain to speak ill of him of whom no man speaks well.

From Project Gutenberg

In a few weeks that amusing lampoon on the scholars and commentators of the time had run through four editions.

From Project Gutenberg

I dined with Mr. Addison, and Jervas the painter, at Addison's country place; and then came home, and writ more to my lampoon.

From Project Gutenberg

I have almost finished my lampoon, and will print it for revenge on a certain great person.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• caricature
• mock
• parody
• satirize