ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

1

: an expression or demonstration of popular acclaim especially by enthusiastic applause

received a standing ovation

2

: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance than that for which a triumph was granted

Synonyms of ovation

• applause

Examples of ovation in a Sentence

He was welcomed by a warm ovation when he came out onto the stage.

received a standing ovation for the masterly performance

Recent Examples on the Web

Maddison received a standing ovation and had an immediate impact. —Jay Harris, New York Times, 15 May 2026

The first, earlier this afternoon was Jordan Firstman’s out-of-competition Club Kid, which got a lot of laughs and a 7-minute standing ovation. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 15 May 2026

After the premiere ovation wound down, the filmmaker shared some more remarks. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

So when Hernández arrived with the Oklahoma City Comets to continue his rehab assignment on Tuesday, the opposing fans greeted him with a thunderous ovation. —Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin ovation-, ovatio, from ovare to exult; akin to Greek euoi, interjection used in bacchic revels

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ovation

• standing ovation

Rhymes for ovation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

: a public expression of praise : enthusiastic applause