ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

1

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

received a standing ovation

2

: 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

Synonyms of ovation

• applause

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 on the Web

There is also a lot of performative clapping involved—but the less made about the length of standing ovations at film festivals the better. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026

The night, hosted by Kirsty Young, who had already hosted the legend’s 90th birthday celebration event, opened with a thunderous standing ovation for Attenborough who waved at the crowd before sitting down next to Prince William. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

Myles Lewis-Skelly, aged 19, in his second start in midfield for the first team, slotted in expertly alongside him and earned a wondrous ovation from the crowd. —Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026

The sellout Garden arena gave a standing ovation as the ball found Josh Hart, who missed a wide-open corner three. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ovation

• standing ovation

Rhymes for ovation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

: a public expression of praise : enthusiastic applause