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

Trump receives mix of applause, boos during US Open appearance. —FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Often, after a judge counted down the final seconds, everyone would burst into applause, as if a plane had landed safely, and some pairs would hug. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

Thank you so much for your applause. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025

Following an approximate 15-minute break, in which the Boise State players took knees on their sideline while the Eastern Washington players surrounded Taylor, he was stretchered off the field in a neck brace to applause from the fans. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Sep. 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