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

Kelce unsurprisingly got a huge ovation. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Dec. 2025

Towns fouled out with 35 seconds to play and exited the court to a nice ovation from the Minnesota faithful. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025

The latter received a standing ovation when Mazzulla subbed him out for Queta after a shift that lasted more than 16 minutes of game time. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025

Bolduc cranked a one-timer from the slot off a feed from Cole Caufield feed to tie it later in the period with his eighth of the season, and first at home, prompting a huge ovation from the Bell Centre crowd. —CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

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
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

: a public expression of praise : enthusiastic applause