Pomp, n.
Etymology: [OE. pompe, F. pompe, L. pompa, fr. Gr. Pump a shoe.]
1. A procession distinguished by ostentation and splendor; a pageant. "All the pomps of a Roman triumph." Addison.
2. Show of magnificence; parade; display; power.
Syn. -- Display; parade; pageant; pageantry; splendor; state; magnificence; ostentation; grandeur; pride.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Pomp, v. i.
To make a pompons display; to conduct. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for pomp; he lists it under ostentation.
Where he writes about it:
Pageant, pageantry, parade, and pomp refer principally to affairs of arms or state; as, a royal pageant; a military parade. — from ostentation
Pomp is some material demonstration of wealth and power, as in grand and stately ceremonial, rich furnishings, processions, etc., considered as worthy of the person or occasion in whose behalf it is manifested; pomp is the noble side of that which as ostentation is considered as arrogant and vain. — from ostentation
Pageant and pageantry are inferior to pomp, denoting spectacular display designed to impress the public mind, and since the multitude is largely ignorant and thoughtless, the words pageant and pageantry have a suggestion of the transient and unsubstantial. — from ostentation
Pomposity and pompousness are the affectation of pomp. — from ostentation