applause

noun ap·plause \ ə-ˈplȯz \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

Definition of applause

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

See applause defined for English-language learners

See applause defined for kids

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 of applause from the Web

It wasn’t delivered in a cap and gown, over a microphone, or to the sound of applause.

— mitch albom, Detroit Free Press, "Mitch Albom: Heroic amputee lost his leg but found something special," 6 May 2018
Ravi uncomfortably exhorts the longhairs up front to not smoke during the solemn performance, and then gets a misunderstanding burst of applause as the group tunes up.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "HariSongs Label Debuts: 7 Great Moments When George Harrison Collided With Indian Music," 27 Apr. 2018
The night’s biggest round of applause, however, was saved for a guest.

— luke leitch, Vogue, "Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda Descends on Mexico City—And Sophia Loren Comes Along for the Ride," 19 Apr. 2018
McManamin walked into the Jesuit community’s dining hall and received a round of applause.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Fr. Francis G. McManamin, Jesuit priest and teacher, dies," 17 Apr. 2018
This guy deserves a round of applause and to take a bow!

— SI.com, "Tranmere Fan Praised Over Epic Charity Walk Despite Last-Minute Game Postponement," 3 Apr. 2018
Hotel staff is on the scene and fixes the sound just minutes before the game starts to a round of applause.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "How Loyola inspired an epic NCAA hoax: Inside Maguire University's party at the Final Four," 2 Apr. 2018
The whole room, DeVos included, gave them a round of applause.

— graham vyse, The New Republic, "Is Washington Ready for Another Betsy DeVos?," 28 Mar. 2018
Council member Corey Dixon offered congratulations, noted the website was one Nava's first tasks as a fellow and led a round of applause for her.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin begins testing 'more effective and transparent' municipal website," 27 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'applause.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.