A lollipop is a piece of hard candy mounted on a stick, designed to be licked and sucked over time rather than chewed up quickly. The stick makes the candy easy to hold without getting your fingers sticky, and you can pull it out of your mouth to save for later without making a mess.

Lollipops come in countless flavors, sizes, and shapes. Some are simple round balls, while others might be shaped like hearts, stars, or cartoon characters. The classic spiral design, with its swirl of colors, is one of the most recognizable candies in the world. A Dum Dum is a small lollipop you might get at the bank or a doctor's office, while a Tootsie Pop has chocolate hidden in its center.

The word lollipop sounds playful and fun, which matches the candy itself. People sometimes use the term to describe other round things on sticks. For instance, someone might call the circular signs that crossing guards hold up lollipop signs because of their shape. When you see someone walking down the street happily licking a lollipop, you're watching them enjoy an invention that's been delighting children (and plenty of adults) for over a century.