applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

1

: marked commendation : acclaim

… the kind of applause every really creative writer wants.

—Robert Tallant

2

: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping the hands)

a round of applause

Synonyms of applause

• ovation

Examples of applause in a Sentence

The announcement was greeted with applause and cheers.

a design for a memorial for the victims of the attack that has received nothing but applause from officials, commentators, and the general public

Recent Examples on the Web

Del Toro returned to Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to debut a 4K restoration of the film, which was met with several minutes of applause. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 July 2026

Trump had entered the ballroom to polite applause, and was thanked for his support by outgoing White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang of CBS News. — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Though Swift herself never made an appearance, her fans showed up to support her then-boyfriend with signs, applause and friendship bracelets. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

If the metric is how many women own an LLC, the solution is a webinar, a mindset seminar, and applause. — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin applausus, from Latin, beating of wings, from applaudere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing applause

• round of applause
• self-applause

Rhymes for applause

• because
• bylaws
• caspase
• choctaws
• danaus
• diapause
• outlaws
• rickshaws
• subclause
• tawas
• withdraws
• ahs

Kids Definition

applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

: approval shown especially by clapping the hands