/ ˈpɒmpɒm; NAmE ˈpɑːmpɑːm/ (also pom·pon / ˈpɒmpɒn; NAmE ˈpɑːmpɑːn/) noun
1.
a small ball made of wool, used for decoration, especially on a hat
SYN bobble —picture at bobble hat
2.
(especially in the US) a large round bunch of strips of plastic, tied to a handle, used by cheerleaders
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 18th cent. (originally denoting a bunch of ribbons, feathers, etc. worn by women in the hair or on a dress): French pompon , of unknown origin.