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

Enjoy the encouragement, but do not confuse applause with commitment. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026

For a millisecond, Bowen Yang and I swapped places—leaving me on the receiving end of his applause rather than the other way around. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

On the creator front, some of the announcements drew applause and buzz from many of the creators in attendance. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

To thunderous applause, Kirchner praised the expansive welfare programs of his mother's presidency, which ended over a decade ago. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 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
• bylaws
• caspase
• choctaws
• danaus
• diapause
• outlaws
• rickshaws
• subclause
• tawas
• withdraws
• ahs

Kids Definition

applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

: approval shown especially by clapping the hands