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pop music

/pɑp ˌmjuzɪk/
/pɒp ˈmjuzɪk/
IPA guide

Pop music is the mainstream musical genre that applies to songs you hear on the radio over and over again.

Pop music, a shortened form of "popular music," was first used in the 1940s, when it described the songs of well-known crooners like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. The term's precise definition has shifted over time, along with the popularity of various musical styles. In the 1950s and 60s it was basically synonymous with rock and roll, but today's pop music is mainly commercial, danceable, and follows a basic format of choruses and verses.

Definitions of pop music
  1. noun
    music of general appeal to teenagers; a bland watered-down version of rock'n'roll with more rhythm and harmony and an emphasis on romantic love
    synonyms: pop
    see moresee less
    type of:
    popular music, popular music genre
    any genre of music having wide appeal (but usually only for a short time)
Pronunciation
US
/pɑp ˌmjuzɪk/
UK
/pɒp ˈmjuzɪk/
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