clapped also clapt; clapping
1
: to strike (two things, such as two flat, hard surfaces) together so as to produce a sharp percussive noise
2
a
: to strike (the hands) together repeatedly usually in applause
b
: applaud
3
: to strike with the flat of the hand in a friendly way
clapped his friend on the shoulder
4
: to place, put, or set especially energetically
clap him into jail
since I first clapped eyes on it
5
: to improvise or build hastily
a hut clapped together from old plywood
Examples of clap in a Sentence
Verb
She clapped in delight when she heard the news.
The audience clapped to the beat of the music.
The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.
He clapped his friend on the shoulder.
He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.
He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.
She clapped a muzzle on the dog.
The prisoners were clapped in irons.
Noun (1)
a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up
a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth
Recent Examples on the Web
Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
Old-timers from the neighborhood sit around reading or gossiping, clapping along to whatever music is playing on the system, often at volumes so loud that Coopersmith and his guys have to shout to each other while pricing records.
—Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Reno piled more than 40 clap tracks onto the production, though the volume of parts involved isn’t necessarily evident in the final cut.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
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Verb
Garnish with a mint sprig, clapped gently between your hands to release the oils.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
Old-timers from the neighborhood sit around reading or gossiping, clapping along to whatever music is playing on the system, often at volumes so loud that Coopersmith and his guys have to shout to each other while pricing records.
—Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
Noun
Therefore, there should be incentive for everyone to work collectively to get rid of STDs and give any efforts to do so more than a slow clap, so to speak.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Reno piled more than 40 clap tracks onto the production, though the volume of parts involved isn’t necessarily evident in the final cut.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Cite this Entry
“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clap
1 of 3 verb
clapped; clapping
1
: to strike noisily : bang
clap two boards together
the door clapped shut
2
: to strike the hands together over and over in applause
3
: to strike with the open hand
clap a friend on the shoulder
4
: to place, put, or set especially energetically
clap him into jail
since I first clapped eyes on it
5
: to make or build hastily
clap together a shelter
clap
2 of 3 noun1
: a sound made by or as if by clapping
a clap of thunder
2
: a friendly slap
a clap on the shoulder
clap
3 of 3 noun
: gonorrhea
—often used with the
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