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
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 May 2025
People did not seem especially enthusiastic in clapping for him, but the crowd was willing to give it up for New York City.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 June 2025
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The season’s most moving episode returns to the question at the heart of Ellie and Joel’s relationship.
count those claps 9:07 p.m.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for clap
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Verb
Alana Haim got a big surge of support too as her sisters Danielle and Este Haim smiled and clapped in the row behind the cast.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 May 2025
People did not seem especially enthusiastic in clapping for him, but the crowd was willing to give it up for New York City.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 June 2025
Noun
President Donald Trump, left, claps as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk prepares to depart after a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show on October 5, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The season’s most moving episode returns to the question at the heart of Ellie and Joel’s relationship.
count those claps 9:07 p.m.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 17 May 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 2 Jul. 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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