clap

1 of 3

verb

clapped also clapt; clapping

transitive verb

1
: to strike (two things, such as two flat, hard surfaces) together so as to produce a sharp percussive noise
2
a
: to strike (the hands) together repeatedly usually in applause
b
3
: to strike with the flat of the hand in a friendly way
clapped his friend on the shoulder
4
: to place, put, or set especially energetically
clap him into jail
since I first clapped eyes on it
5
: to improvise or build hastily
a hut clapped together from old plywood

intransitive verb

1
: to produce a percussive sound
especially : slam
2
: to go abruptly or briskly
3

clap

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a device that makes a clapping noise
2
obsolete : a sudden stroke of fortune and especially ill fortune
3
: a loud percussive noise
specifically : a sudden crash of thunder
4
a
: a sudden blow
b
: a friendly slap
a clap on the back
5
: the sound of clapping hands
especially : applause

clap

3 of 3

noun (2)

: gonorrhea
often used with the

Examples of clap in a Sentence

Verb She clapped in delight when she heard the news. The audience clapped to the beat of the music. The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play. He clapped his friend on the shoulder. He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said. He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door. She clapped a muzzle on the dog. The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But eventually, the crowd stood and clapped as Christopher Nolan’s cast and team took the stage to be recognized for their honor before listening to Emma Thomas’s acceptance speech. Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 Yamamoto earned the golf clap from his friend with a six-pitch strikeout of the Rangers’ Marcus Semien. Doug Padilla, Orange County Register, 28 Feb. 2024 And Brooke shared several sparkling heart emojis and clapping hand. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2024 Fresno State has a similar tradition as Viejas Arena, where fans stand and clap at the start of the game until the home team scores. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 At that moment, someone else jumped on the hood and a group of people started clapping and encouraging the behavior. Jody Serrano / Gizmodo, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2024 The businesswoman’s mother, momager Kris Jenner, commented on one post with emojis of hands clapping. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 Mourners clapped and chanted Navalny’s name as his coffin arrived at the church where his funeral took place. Matthew Chance, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Stacey: There’s a lot of clapping for a long time, but just surreal. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
Sometimes there was too much background noise to distinguish a clap, other times the Clapper responded to an incidental noise that was not a clap. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2023 Purdue player ratings:Two guards get perfect marks in Boilers' blowout The student section’s final clap corresponds with the exact moment Michigan gets the ball for the second half. Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024 The hand claps sound upbeat, the grooves slightly funky and the moves smooth. Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023 Each appliance was controlled by its own series of claps. IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2023 The students went through the moves of the dance, including half a K-step, a double clap, a stomp, a scuff, a quarter turn. Naaman Zhou, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 And when we’re done, everybody stands up and claps. Kara Nesvig, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023 Soon after that celebration faded, the crowd sent up a chant punctuated by claps. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2023 The same can be said of the music: Global pop built on strong melodies and hooks, but with hand claps. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat

Noun (2)

Middle French clapoir bubo

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clap was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near clap

Cite this Entry

“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clap

1 of 3 verb
clapped; clapping
1
: to strike noisily : bang
clap two boards together
the door clapped shut
2
: to strike the hands together over and over in applause
3
: to strike with the open hand
clap a friend on the shoulder
4
: to place, put, or set especially energetically
clap him into jail
since I first clapped eyes on it
5
: to make or build hastily
clap together a shelter

clap

2 of 3 noun
1
: a sound made by or as if by clapping
a clap of thunder
2
: a friendly slap
a clap on the shoulder

clap

3 of 3 noun
: gonorrhea
often used with the

Medical Definition

clap

noun
: gonorrhea
often used with the

More from Merriam-Webster on clap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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