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

Stacy Gallagher, development and policy coordinator for the Sea Turtle Conservancy, had traveled from Gainesville to make that case, and remembers feeling heartened when boisterous applause punctuated each of her points. —Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025

After noticing the fall, Gaga immediately stopped the concert to check on the performer, earning applause from the audience. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2025

The upper chamber rejected the map in a 19-31 vote, resulting in applause from some in the Senate. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2025

But his football talk was met with only lackluster applause. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025

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