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

• 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

Despite frequent tumbles requiring human assistance to help robots stand, many managed to right themselves independently, earning applause from audiences. —CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025

Her speech is met with cheers and applause as her costars have nothing but praise for her. —Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

As governor, Mace said child rapists would get the death penalty, eliciting a loud applause from the crowd. —Lauren Peller, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2025

While the declaration earned applause in the room at the time, her remarks spurred outrage online. —Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 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