pom-pom
1 of 2noun (1)
ˈpäm-ˌpäm 
1
: an ornamental ball or tuft used especially on clothing, caps, or costumes
2
: a handheld usually brightly colored fluffy ball flourished by cheerleaders
pom-pom
2 of 2noun (2)
: an automatic antiaircraft gun of 20 to 40 millimeters mounted especially on ships
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
alteration of pompon
Noun (2)
imitative; from the sound of its discharge
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
1940, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
pom-pom
noun
ˈpäm-ˌpäm
1
: a small fluffy ball used as decoration especially on clothing
2
: a usually brightly colored fluffy ball waved by cheerleaders