noun / verb

pop

PAHP/pˈɑp/

A short sharp explosive sound.

The red balloon bursts with a pop as the pin punctures it.

Close view of a small red inflated balloon at the instant it pops: a pin held by one hand just punctures the stretched rubber, torn red latex peels outward from the puncture; short subtle drawn burst strokes only, no words or letters.

Etymology

An imitation of a short explosive sound. It underlies popping actions and associated figurative uses, not necessarily every word spelled pop.

In context

Vox0:37

it makes a popping sound. So is the knuckle cracking habit safe? Probably. Donald Unger was sort of a self-described researcher who chose to pop the joints in one of his hands

Here's what happens to your knuckles when you crack them

More examples

The logs pop and crackle in the fireplace.
We hear two loud pops from the engine.
The bubble wrap popped when I squeezed it.

Forms

pop · pops · popped · popping

Similar words

bang: Usually suggests a louder, heavier sound than a pop.
snap: Suggests a crisp breaking or closing sound rather than an explosion.