Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • interjection Used to indicate a sudden loud noise, as of a blow or explosion.
  • interjection Used to indicate a sudden or unexpected occurrence.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Scotland, Ireland Alternative form of poll.
  • interjection Represents the sound of a violent impact, such as a punch.
  • interjection Represents the sound of an explosion.
  • noun The sound of a violent impact.
  • noun The sound of an explosion.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Imitative.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Variant forms.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Onomatopoeic.

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Examples

  • It was evident these people had not forgot the Endeavour being on their coast; for the first words they spoke to us were, _Mataou no te pow pow_ (we are afraid of the guns).

    A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 14 Robert Kerr 1784

  • It was evident these people had not forgot the Endeavour being on their coast; for the first words they spoke to us were, _Mataou no te pow pow_ (we are afraid of the guns).

    A Voyage Towards the South Pole and Round the World, Volume 1 James Cook 1753

  • The insect came, filled himself full, and flew off replete; but somehow sleep would not come to either Ned or his uncle, and they were lying hot and weary longing for the repose, when they both started up, for from somewhere in the forest beyond the cottages came a deep-toned sound which can only be rendered by the word pow!

    The Rajah of Dah George Manville Fenn 1870

  • This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow!

    Cool Hunting 2009

  • This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow!

    Cool Hunting 2009

  • This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow!

    Cool Hunting 2009

  • This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow!

    Cool Hunting 2009

  • This grand tradition extends to Brooklyn-via-Jersey siblings Edward and Jeff Nazareno, who perform under the moniker pow wow!

    Cool Hunting 2009

  • What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt? —

    Archive 2008-05-01 2008

  • What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt? —

    Fareed Zakaria, Stupid Motherfucker 2008

Comments

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  • Scots - head.

    John Anderson, my jo, John,

    When we were first acquent,

    Your locks were like the raven,

    Your bonnie brow was brent;

    But now your brow is beld, John,

    Your locks are like the snow;

    But blessings on your frosty pow,

    John Anderson, my jo.

    - R. Burns, 'John Anderson'.

    August 11, 2008