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

Gilberto Mora left the field to applause. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Strong showing of support Atterbeary called her victory Tuesday night to roaring applause from a crowd of supporters. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 24 June 2026

The upstairs neighbors would like to go to sleep somewhere between 9 at night and midnight, and so applause was frowned upon at the Gaslight. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2026

True competitive advantage belongs to leaders who refuse to sacrifice long-term development for short-term applause. — Melissa Dawn Simkins, Fortune, 22 June 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