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

Pete Golding was the one receiving an ovation after this game, while Lane Kiffin walked off the field to a chorus of cheers reigning down from Ole Miss fans. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Benge doffed his cap to an ovation from the crowd of 37,468 following the record-breaking hit, an RBI infield single in the eighth. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

The Venice Film Festival gave the film a 25-minute standing ovation and awarded it the Special Jury Price. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

José Luis Rebordinos’s Swan Song When Rebordinos appeared on stage this July at Madrid’s Academia de Cine to present San Sebastian’s Spanish titles, the industry-press audience got to its feet to a man and woman to deliver him a standing ovation. — John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 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