pompom

¹

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

noun

1. Also . an ornamental tuft or ball of feathers, wool, or the like, used on hats, slippers, etc.
2. pompon ( def 3 ).

pompom

²

or pom-pom

[ pom-pom ]

noun

1. an automatic antiaircraft cannon.

pompom

/ ˈpɒmpɒm /

noun

1. a ball of tufted silk, wool, feathers, etc, worn on a hat for decoration
2. 1. the small globelike flower head of certain cultivated varieties of dahlia and chrysanthemum
   2. ( as modifier )

      pompom dahlia

Word History and Origins

Origin of pompom¹

First recorded in 1740–50; variant of pompon, with assimilation of final n

Origin of pompom²

First recorded in 1895–1900; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of pompom¹

C18: from French, from Old French pompe knot of ribbons, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

There are young women who look like they could have come straight from a college campus, in puffy jackets and pompom hats.

From ProPublica

Towards evening the voice of the pompom was heard in the land; but he bagged nothing—never does.

From Project Gutenberg

In the afternoon one of our guns on Cæsar's Camp smashed a pompom.

From Project Gutenberg

As the extended lines of the infantry moved through the town they were greeted by pompom fire, which, however, did no damage.

From Project Gutenberg

Boers began attack at daybreak with two or three guns and a pompom, shelling the position hard.

From Project Gutenberg

A deputation of ladies had, meanwhile, presented the Duchess with a table-gong made of pompom shells mounted on a rhinoceros horn.

From Project Gutenberg