clap

1 of 3

verb

clapped also clapt; clapping

transitive verb

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
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

intransitive verb

1
: to produce a percussive sound
especially : slam
2
: to go abruptly or briskly
3

clap

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a device that makes a clapping noise
2
obsolete : a sudden stroke of fortune and especially ill fortune
3
: a loud percussive noise
specifically : a sudden crash of thunder
4
a
: a sudden blow
b
: a friendly slap
a clap on the back
5
: the sound of clapping hands
especially : applause

clap

3 of 3

noun (2)

: gonorrhea
often used with the

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The dancers invited the crowd to dance with them, teaching them the Indian dance moves while the audience cheered and clapped. Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 Parents with young children nodded their heads and clapped. Alaina Bookman | Abookman@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2023 After six minutes of cheers, the filmmakers quietly left the spotlight, leaving a still buzzy crowd clapping in their stead. Ben Croll, Variety, 31 Aug. 2023 Public rules Spectators will be prohibited from talking, clapping or demonstrating in the chamber. Sarah Bahari, Dallas News, 30 Aug. 2023 True said, clapping her hands to the beat of her tune. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2023 Teachers wearing school T-shirts and visors waved school banners or clapped to the beat of rock music piped into the cavernous hall. Eula Calahan, Arkansas Online, 15 Aug. 2023 Flora and Son, however, holds the distinction of inspiring not just a lengthy standing ovation but also a group sing-along, with the entire crowd clapping to the beat. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2023 Share [Findings] Veterinarians developed an ultrasound schedule for pregnant dolphins, and marine biologists discovered four new species of walking sharks and found that gray seals clap at each other to communicate underwater. Justin E. H. Smith, Harper's Magazine, 16 Aug. 2023
Noun
One epic point even led to impressed claps from Sabalenka, as Gauff egged on the adoring crowd for bigger cheers. Julie Mazziotta, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023 Those who gathered at West 13th clap and chant Sibley’s name. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2023 Photo: National Gallery, London The French phrase coup de foudre captures, with exquisite economy, the explosive shock with which an unexpected clap of thunder can change a life, most commonly through the sudden lightning strike of love. Diane Cole, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2023 So thunder claps nearby don't always mean lightning for you. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 31 July 2023 Still balancing his tray, the waiter fell to his knees and performed the ceremonial clap one-handed, tapping his thigh. Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2023 The long, narrow experimental aircraft cuts the boom from roughly 105 decibels—the sound of a clap of thunder—to 75 decibels, akin to the whir of a vacuum cleaner, or the slam of a car door 20 feet away. Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2023 The song laces a thumping bass line and 808 claps with orchestral loops as SwaVay stomps all over the beat with fiery bars. Cydney Lee, Billboard, 17 July 2023 The thunderous applause gave way to polite claps as Christie replaced him behind the lectern. Kara Voght, Washington Post, 12 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat

Noun (2)

Middle French clapoir bubo

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clap was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near clap

Cite this Entry

“Clap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clap. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids 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 noun
1
: 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

Medical Definition

clap

noun
: gonorrhea
often used with the

More from Merriam-Webster on clap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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