pop-music
UK[ˈpɒp ˌmjuːzɪk]US[ˈpɑːp ˌmjuːzɪk]
n
A type of music, usually recorded, with strong rhythmic patterns and simple tunes, that is popular with many people.
Morpheme Breakdown
pop
music
pop
popular
music
art form
Etymology
The term 'pop-music' is a modern compound formed from the clipped form 'pop', a mid-20th century abbreviation of 'popular', and the word 'music'. 'Popular' itself originates from Latin 'populāris', meaning 'of the people', derived from 'populus' (the people). 'Music' traces back to the Greek 'mousikē', pertaining to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts. The compound's logic is transparent: it denotes 'music of the people' or 'popular music', explicitly distinguishing it from classical, folk, or other specialized genres by its primary aim of achieving widespread commercial and cultural appeal.
Analysis
Structure: pop (popular) + music (art form)
pop: English (shortened form), from the adjective 'popular', meaning 'liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people'. Functions as a modifier.
music: English, from Old French 'musique', from Latin 'musica', from Greek 'mousikē (tekhnē)' meaning '(art) of the Muses'. Functions as the head noun.
Examples
The radio station plays mostly pop-music from the last two decades.
She has a vast collection spanning from jazz to modern pop-music.
The evolution of pop-music often reflects changing social trends.