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 auditorium full of Venezuelans erupted in applause and cheers after pastor Israel Martin said the end of Maduro’s reign had arrived. —Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026

The commission’s decision drew applause from dozens of church supporters at the City Hall hearing. —Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026

When Rideout was acquitted, the courtroom burst into applause. —S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

As Sunday's sombre procession reached its conclusion, applause began rippling from one end to the other as dozens of police and emergency services workers, some of them in tears, came up through the middle to be celebrated as heroes. —Reuters, NBC news, 4 Jan. 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