What is "prom"

"student formal dance in celebration of graduation," 1894, American English shortened form of promenade (n.). Prom dress attested from 1975.

n. 1 (context British English) a promenade concert 2 (context British abbreviation English) promenade 3 (context US English) a formal ball held at a college near the end of the academic year

n. a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year [syn: promenade]

thumb|upright=1.2|A typical gathering, with boys in tuxedos, and girls in dresses with corsages on their wrists.

In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, prom is a semi-formal ( black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (the last year of high school). Proms figure greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it "junior prom" while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom". In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.

At a prom, a Prom King and Prom Queen may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and seniors are usually awarded these titles. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called "Prom Prince" or "Prom Princess." Other students may be honored with inclusion in a "Prom Court." The selection method for a Prom Court is similar to that of Homecoming Queen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports. The Prom Queen and Prom King may be given crowns to wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.

Similar events take place in many other parts of the world. In Australia and New Zealand, the terms school formal, and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in senior years, although the bestowing of the regal titles rarely, if ever, occurs. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland a debutante ball or Debs may also be held. In Poland high schools organize a " studniówka". The term "prom" is becoming more common in the UK and Canada due to the influence of American films and television shows.

A prom (in the United States) is a formal social event – usually a dance – generally held near the end of the last two years of high school.

Prom or The Prom may also refer to:

Prom is the second solo album by Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, released in 2005 on her Daemon Records label.

Prom is a 2011 American teen romance comedy-drama film directed by Joe Nussbaum written by Katie Wech and produced by Ted Griffin and Justin Springer. It was released on April 29, 2011, by Walt Disney Pictures. The film was the first major production shot with Arriflex's Alexa HD cameras to be released in theatres.

"Prom" is the 21st episode of the first season of the CW television series The Secret Circle, and the series' 21st episode overall. It was aired on May 3, 2012. The episode was written by Holly Henderson & Don Whitehead and it was directed by Alex Zakrzewski.