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

But when Inter Miami ran out from the locker room, fans erupted in cheers and applause. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026

The Mavericks rookie received an electric ovation from the home crowd at TD Garden, but those same Celtics fans delivered a raucous level of applause for Jayson Tatum, who played his first NBA game in 298 days since tearing his right Achilles. —Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

Jennings then asked for applause if people supported the idea. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026

At the end, the soccer star offered some applause. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 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