clap

1 of 3

verb

ˈklap 

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

: 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

intransitive verb

1

: to produce a percussive sound

especially : slam

2

: to go abruptly or briskly

3

: applaud

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

Synonyms

Verb

• bang
• bash
• bat
• belt
• biff
• bludgeon
• bob
• bonk
• bop
• box
• bust
• clip
• clobber
• clock
• clout
• crack
• hammer
• hit
• knock
• nail
• paste
• pound
• punch
• rap
• slam
• slap
• slog
• slug
• smack
• smite
• sock
• strike
• swat
• swipe
• tag
• thump
• thwack
• wallop
• whack
• whale
• zap

Noun (1)

• bang
• blast
• boom
• crack
• crash
• pop
• report
• slam
• smash
• snap
• thunderclap
• thwack
• whack
• whomp
• whump

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The crowd clapped and craned their necks toward the sky. —Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024

Approaching the end of the long journey, at the U.S.-Mexico border, more than 20 people waited, clapping and cheering, including Pasillas and the rest of his family. —Ana Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2024

The 23-year-old Forbes clapped her hands and chuckled. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Grandpa Jack was at brunch with his family when everyone started clapping and singing. —Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024

In one episode, Ava comes upon Janine pacing and absent-mindedly clapping her hands. —Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024

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. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

And Newsom in the accompanying photo is gleefully laughing and clapping at you. —Letters To The Editor, Orange County Register, 27 Mar. 2024

Kimmel joked as the crowd started clapping and cheering. —Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024

Noun

Double clap, audience chants A secret language formed between fans and Swift as new traditions popped up along the tour. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024

Rain could be heavy with a few claps of thunder and winds again look to gust over 40 mph. —Ashley Smith and Steve Horstmeyer, The Enquirer, 9 Jan. 2024

Just the creak-clank, creak-clank of her walker and the echoing claps of our house slippers on the tile floors. —Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

And as the first two song releases make clear with banjos, stomps and claps, and references to spurs, boots, and long back roads, this is a country record. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2024

Sometimes there was too much background noise to distinguish a clap, other times the Clapper responded to an incidental noise that was not a clap. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2023

Purdue player ratings:Two guards get perfect marks in Boilers' blowout The student section’s final clap corresponds with the exact moment Michigan gets the ball for the second half. —Chloe Peterson, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Jan. 2024

The hand claps sound upbeat, the grooves slightly funky and the moves smooth. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023

Each appliance was controlled by its own series of claps. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Dec. 2023

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

Phrases Containing clap

• clap back
• clap eyes on
• the clap

Kids Definition

clap

1 of 3 verb

ˈklap 

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

ˈklap 

: gonorrhea

—often used with the