1
: an act or round of applause
2
: enthusiastic approval
—usually used in plural
received the plaudits of the critics
Did you know?
You earn plaudits for your etymological knowledge if you can connect plaudit to words besides the familiar applaud and applause. A word coined by shortening Latin plaudite, meaning "applaud," plaudit had gained approval status in English by the first years of the 17th century. Latin plaudite is a form of the verb plaudere, meaning "to applaud"; plaudere, in turn, is ancestor to explode, plausible, and the archaic displode (a synonym of explode).
Examples of plaudit in a Sentence
the proud parents bragged that their daughter had received many plaudits for her academic achievements
Recent Examples on the Web
The restaurant, which opened in late 2016 in the spot once home to the German restaurant Glockenspiel, earned consistent plaudits from Pioneer Press writers and beyond for its cozy and well-worn vibe, great food and even better cocktail menu.
—
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
That plaudit had gone to the 449ft Union Chain Bridge across the river Tweed in Scotland, unveiled in 1820 — which is also still in use today.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Longtime Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler chipped in an assist and drew a plaudit from Montgomery.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
While Ireland won its first-ever Friday home championship match with a four-try bonus point, Wales took most of the plaudits.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaudit
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Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
That plaudit had gone to the 449ft Union Chain Bridge across the river Tweed in Scotland, unveiled in 1820 — which is also still in use today.
—Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Longtime Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler chipped in an assist and drew a plaudit from Montgomery.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 9 Mar. 2026
While Ireland won its first-ever Friday home championship match with a four-try bonus point, Wales took most of the plaudits.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plaudit
Cite this Entry
“Plaudit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaudit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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