1
: pop fly
2
: a component or device that pops up
3
: a pop-up book
4
: a pop-up window on a computer screen
1
: of, relating to, or having a component or device that pops up
a pop-up book
2
: appearing suddenly: such as
a
computing
: appearing suddenly on a screen over another window or display
a pop-up window
a pop-up ad
b
of a business
: set up quickly for short-term operation in a temporary location
pop-up stores/shops
pop-up retail
The front lawn of nearly every home becomes either a parking lot or a pop-up market, perfect for hungry, thirsty fans held captive by the … lines of traffic.—
Juliet Macur
Juliet Macur
c
meteorology
: appearing or developing quickly in isolation rather than as part of a line or grouping of storms
By Thursday you should be able to go coast to coast and see only pop-up thunderstorms …—Paul Clark
Paul ClarkLate summer is prime time for "pop-up" thunderstorms: storms born of hot, moist air that occur without regard to frontal activity or other large weather disturbances that are more easily understood.—The Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)
The Journal & Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)Examples of pop-up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 19 Mar. 2026
The News has held monthly in-house listening sessions with residents, community events in neighborhoods across Dallas, pop-up newsrooms and news literacy workshops, connecting with more than 500 residents through trust-building events last year.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
Roselily Located on the southern edge of downtown, this former pop-up is now one of just two AAA Four-Diamond restaurants in South Bend.
—Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop-up
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Noun
The following participating booksellers will be hosting pop-ups at one central location, The Stutz, this year.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 19 Mar. 2026
The News has held monthly in-house listening sessions with residents, community events in neighborhoods across Dallas, pop-up newsrooms and news literacy workshops, connecting with more than 500 residents through trust-building events last year.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
When Noma does a pop-up, the kitchen team immerses itself in the local flora, fauna, and culinary cultures to create a tasting menu that speaks not just to the restaurant’s style but is also an expression of the place the restaurant is taking up residency in.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
Roselily Located on the southern edge of downtown, this former pop-up is now one of just two AAA Four-Diamond restaurants in South Bend.
—Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pop-up
Cite this Entry
“Pop-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pop-up. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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