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

When the price jumped from 5.5 million to 6 million euros in one swoop, there were whistles and applause. —John Leicester, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025

Gasps and applause filled the Paris auction house as the price soared past previous records. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 10 July 2025

An airport security policy that has been in place just short of 20 years is finally being dropped, much to the applause of airline travelers. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Johnson was then lauded with the award statuette, to another round of raucous applause. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 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