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

The 25-minute ovation sets a new record for any movie at a major festival, surpassing the near 24 minutes scored by The Voice of Hind Rajab at last year’s Venice festival and the 22 minutes scored by Guillermo Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026

Salk took the stage at the press conference to a prolonged standing ovation, on his way to becoming a living legend. — Adam Zimmerman, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026

At the picture’s Thursday press conference in Venice, not long before the film received what might be the longest-ever standing ovation in film-festival history, Szor also reminded everyone that Palestinian journalists have reported on these facts. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

The film received a six-minute standing ovation at Wednesday’s premiere. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 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
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

ovation

noun

ova·​tion ō-ˈvā-shən 

: a public expression of praise : enthusiastic applause