# lollipop

/ˈɫɑɫiˌpɑp/ (US) · /lˈɒlɪpˌɒp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lollipop
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. candy on a stick

noun · CEFR A2

a hard sweet or piece of candy fixed to the end of a small stick.

For teachers: a piece of hard confectionery attached to a stick, intended to be sucked or licked.

- The child chose a red strawberry lollipop from the jar at the shop.
- The dentist handed out sugar-free lollipops to the younger patients as a reward for their cooperation during the check-up.

### 2. lollipop man/lady sign

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a round sign on a long stick used by people helping children cross the road.

For teachers: a circular sign on a pole used by a school crossing patrol to stop traffic.

- The cars stopped when the woman held up her lollipop in the middle of the road.
- In the UK, the school crossing patrol is colloquially named after the distinctive lollipop sign they carry to halt oncoming vehicles.

### 3. racing pit sign

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a sign on a stick used in car racing to tell the driver when to stop or go.

For teachers: a sign on a long handle used by a pit crew member to signal instructions to a driver during a pit stop.

- The driver watched the lollipop carefully to know exactly when to accelerate.
- The mechanic lowered the lollipop to signal the driver to brake precisely at the designated mark in the pit lane.

### 4. to prune a plant

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cut off the lower branches of a plant so it grows a round top on a bare stem.

For teachers: to prune the lower foliage and lateral branches of a plant to encourage a concentrated canopy at the apex.

- He decided to lollipop his indoor plants to help the top flowers get more light.
- By lollipopping the lower third of the stems, the gardener redirected the plant's energy toward the primary colas at the top of the canopy.

Usage: often used in indoor gardening or arboriculture to improve light penetration

## Examples

- The child chose a red strawberry lollipop from the jar.
- The bank teller often keeps a bowl of lollipops on the counter to give to children visiting with their parents.
- While traditionally associated with simple fruit flavours, artisanal confectioners now produce lollipops featuring complex botanical infusions and edible flowers encased in clear sugar.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.