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

He was met with rapturous standing ovations at the New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony upon his return to the stage months later. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026

Manning received a standing ovation. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

Woodland tipped his cap and ran his left hand through his hair after removing the ball out of the hole to a thunderous, extended ovation from the fans. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026

The night’s second standing ovation came when none other than Stevie Wonder appeared and also hilariously noted the famous impression Murphy does of him. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Apr. 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