prom

1 of 2

noun

1
: a formal dance given by a high school or college class
2
British : promenade sense 2

prom

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of prom in a Sentence

Noun Are you going to the prom? he resolved to ask her to the school prom at the first opportunity
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The movie’s memorable climax occurs at a bloody and deadly prom. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Relationship tip: Here’s a great story: A high school senior was taking his girlfriend of three years to the senior prom. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The couple, who have been married since 2020, met in 2018 at the annual Night to Shine event, a worldwide prom for people with special needs. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Featuring a sensitive turn from Spacek and a haunting Piper Laurie as Carrie's dangerously religious mother, Carrie remains a classic not only for its fiery prom scene and horror imagery but for its allegory of a girl growing up in small-town America. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2023 In the movie, a group of high schoolers are terrorized by a masked killer at their prom — only to learn it’s all connected to an incident from their childhood. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023 Is the entire country suffering from a Freudian desire to relive the consummation of high-school prom? Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 In this case that’s the looming death of Doris’ brother and her ultimate acceptance into the cool clique in a slinky sequined gown at the prom. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2024 Still, the Prom actress played to her strengths and chose an unconventional dress for her own prom. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 17 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prom.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for promenade entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prom was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near prom

Cite this Entry

“Prom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prom. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

prom

noun
ˈpräm
: a formal dance given by a high school or college class
Etymology

Noun

a shortened form of promenade "a march by couples at the beginning of a formal ball"

More from Merriam-Webster on prom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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