ovation

noun ova·tion \ ō-ˈvā-shən \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of ovation

1 : a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance than that for which a triumph was granted

2 : an expression or demonstration of popular acclaim especially by enthusiastic applause

received a standing ovation

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Examples of ovation in a Sentence

He was welcomed by a warm ovation when he came out onto the stage.
received a standing ovation for the masterly performance

Recent Examples of ovation from the Web

Andrew McCutchen returned to Pittsburgh for the first time on Friday night, receiving a standing ovation from Pirates fans at PNC Park.

— jenna west, SI.com, "Watch: Giants' Andrew McCutchen Gets Long Standing Ovation in Return to Pittsburgh," 11 May 2018
Pujols received a standing ovation from the crowd at Safeco Field and was given the baseball and first base as a memento.

— tim booth, Houston Chronicle, "Astros killer Albert Pujols becomes 32nd player in 3,000-hit club," 5 May 2018
At the 2003 ceremony, Polanski's win – his first – received a standing ovation.

— lindsey bahr, The Christian Science Monitor, "Oscars academy expels Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby," 4 May 2018
To our surprise and delight, the film received a standing ovation.

— kevin doyle, WSJ, "24 Famous Globe-Trotters on the Hotels They Love Most," 27 Apr. 2018
Mill, wearing a Joel Embiid jersey, was the ceremonial bell-ringer during the pre-game festivities of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, receiving a standing ovation from the fans and cheers from the players.

— sarah todd, Philly.com, "Meek Mill fires up Sixers fans during playoff victory over Heat," 24 Apr. 2018
Coming from the iconic singer of a veteran punk band known for its political conscience, this message received a standing ovation.

— robert levine, Billboard, "How a Controversial Rap Duo Won Germany's Top Music Prize, Sparking a National Debate Over Anti-Semitism in Hip-Hop," 20 Apr. 2018
Obama, welcomed by a standing ovation, said that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains strong, and that the U.S. is committed to defending Japan.

— yuri kageyama, chicagotribune.com, "Obama, in Japan, says North Korea's isolation means less leverage," 25 Mar. 2018
Welcomed by a standing ovation, McCraney recalled a moment earlier in the day with the 2018 YoungArts winners, where the emerging artists called for a more inclusive, equitable and diverse future.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Black-tie gala kickstarts careers of up-and-coming artists," 29 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ovation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ovation

Latin ovation-, ovatio, from ovare to exult; akin to Greek euoi, interjection used in bacchic revels

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1533

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ovation Synonyms

OVATION Defined for English Language Learners

ovation

noun

Definition of ovation for English Language Learners

: an occurrence in which a group of people at a play, speech, sporting event, etc., show enthusiastic approval or appreciation by clapping their hands together over and over