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

• acclamation
• cheer
• cheering
• ovation
• plaudit(s)
• rave(s)
• réclame

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

Thousands of troops from multiple branches of the military rehearsed for weeks under the adoring eyes and feverish applause from the local people. —Nga Pham, NPR, 30 Apr. 2025

The vice president’s comments received applause from the crowd, which was made up of business leaders and students, according to reporters traveling with Vance in India. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2025

The recipients of the applause were McKenna and his players. —Michael Walker, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

As the house lights dimmed, cheers and applause roared throughout the venue. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 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