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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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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
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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
Phrases Containing clap
Articles Related to clap
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.
Copy Citation
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 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
More from Merriam-Webster on clap
Nglish: Translation of clap for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of clap for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clap
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