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

Schlittler allowed four hits and exited to a standing ovation after stranding two runners in the sixth. —CBS News, 19 June 2026

Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions The Tony Awards are often remembered for standing ovations, emotional acceptance speeches, and career-defining wins. —Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Bono presented the accolade, the two talked Springteen’s music and activism and joined Patti Smith and her longtime accompanist Tony Shanahan in People Have The Power to standing ovations, clapping and loud cheers. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 June 2026

Tom Cruise sat elbow to elbow with David Beckham; UCLA and Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar got a rousing ovation and Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart was lustily booed. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 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