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

Coach Bill Self removed the sophomore big man from the game during the final TV timeout to a thunderous ovation from 15,300 fans appreciative of Bidunga’s 27 minutes of work that included 10-of-11 shooting (5-of-6 from the free-throw line). —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 16 Nov. 2025

Trump said to Herzog, pointing to Netanyahu, and sparking a sustained standing ovation and applause from the crowd. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Nov. 2025

Taylor walked onto the stage to a thunderous standing ovation before grabbing his guitar and taking a seat in the circle. —Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025

The biggest ovation of the night came when Keon Ellis, who has fallen out of the rotation despite being one of the team’s best defenders and 3-point shooters, entered the game for the first time at the start of the fourth quarter. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2025

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