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

The problem nobody wanted to name Before the announcements, before Jensen’s entrance to stadium-level applause, McDermott opened Day 1 with a provocation. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Wattson, the Kromfohrlander who stars as Copernicus, trotted out (in a tuxedo) with his trainer to audience cheers and applause. —Abby Stern, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026

In March, convention halls in Rome and Dalton erupted in applause as speakers, including environmental activist Erin Brockovich, cast the legislative efforts as a dire threat to accountability. —Dylan Jackson, ABC News, 6 May 2026

California needs steady revenue, not gimmicks that trade short-term applause for long-term problems. —Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 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
• byelaws
• bylaws
• caspase
• choctaws
• danaus
• macaws
• outlaws
• rickshaws
• subclause
• tawas
• withdraws

Kids Definition

applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

: approval shown especially by clapping the hands