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saluted; saluting
1
a
: to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor
b
: to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to : greet
2
: to become apparent to (one of the senses)
3
a
: to honor (a person, a nation, an event, etc.) by a conventional military or naval ceremony
b
: to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position
c
: to express commendation of : praise
: to make a salute
saluter
noun
1
2
a
: a sign, token, or ceremony expressing goodwill, compliment, or respect
the festival was a salute to the arts
b
: the position (as of the hand) or the entire attitude of a person saluting a superior
3
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Verb
We salute our country's soldiers.
The players saluted the fans.
The president saluted her bravery.
Noun
The officers gave the general a salute.
They raised their hands in salute.
The concert was a salute to country music legends.
Twenty-one guns were fired in salute.
We raise our glasses in salute to the newlyweds.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
But this week, the Atlantic Hockey Association decided to salute someone who was not even in uniform.
—Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2023
White may have gone to that big Match Game panel in the sky, but both Eureka Heights and Angel Share are determined to salute this legend at the top of every year.
—Craig D Lindsey, Chron, 13 Jan. 2023
On Tuesday, the trumpeter and his band, E-Collective, will perform a Price Center Ballroom East concert with the Turtle Island String Quartet to salute the music of jazz sax giant Wayne Shorter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2023
In Thursday’s Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl game between Baylor and Air Force, fans might have had trouble lifting their arms to salute those who serve.
—Michael Haag, Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
North County high schools salute their top students, the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2022.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2022
The Grammys will salute late music legends Loretta Lynn and Christine McVie during the 65th annual telecast this Sunday (Feb. 5), as well as Migos rapper Takeoff, who was murdered last year.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2023
Hundreds of police officers salute the casket of Kirkwood police Sgt.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2022
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2022
Though Princess Diana graces the cover of this Vogue book, it was created as a salute to the late Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 Nov. 2022
Police officers and other first responders get a 10% discount at this longtime restaurant with hand-cut steaks, seafood and an interior that pretty much serves as a salute to vets.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Nov. 2022
Bowie was never shy about acknowledging his influences, and many of his albums contain a cover or two, but Pin Ups has a specific aim: a sort of salute to a teen idol’s teen idols.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 June 2022
Paul Wall, a longtime sports fan and Houston rapper, will enter the ring — or what’s left of it — as part of Davies Entertainment’s salute to boxing and hip-hop music.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 May 2022
The benefit salute at the Mark Taper Forum also included testimonials to Moss and/or the performing arts center from Sting, Misty Copeland, Joe Sumner, Rita Coolidge, Morgan James and, of course, Herb Alpert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2023
After a carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards by those members of the royal family not on horseback, King Charles will take the salute at the parade.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2022
Ken Stevens, a 100-year-old survivor from the USS Whitney, returned the salute.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Dec. 2022
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Verb
While Brazil international pair Neymar and Marquinhos clashed with Campos sparking a 'war', goalkeeper Gianluca Donnarumma and Ekiteke were also involved after disobeying skipper Marquinho's command to salute the travelling ultras at full time.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
But this week, the Atlantic Hockey Association decided to salute someone who was not even in uniform.
—Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Jan. 2023
White may have gone to that big Match Game panel in the sky, but both Eureka Heights and Angel Share are determined to salute this legend at the top of every year.
—Craig D Lindsey, Chron, 13 Jan. 2023
On Tuesday, the trumpeter and his band, E-Collective, will perform a Price Center Ballroom East concert with the Turtle Island String Quartet to salute the music of jazz sax giant Wayne Shorter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2023
In Thursday’s Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl game between Baylor and Air Force, fans might have had trouble lifting their arms to salute those who serve.
—Michael Haag, Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
North County high schools salute their top students, the valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2022.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2022
The Grammys will salute late music legends Loretta Lynn and Christine McVie during the 65th annual telecast this Sunday (Feb. 5), as well as Migos rapper Takeoff, who was murdered last year.
—Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2023
Hundreds of police officers salute the casket of Kirkwood police Sgt.
—CBS News, 22 Nov. 2022
Noun
Some stepped up and took pictures with the display, throwing up horns, the classic forked fingers of heavy metal, used by some denominations of Satanism as a salute.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2022
Though Princess Diana graces the cover of this Vogue book, it was created as a salute to the late Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.
—Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 14 Nov. 2022
Police officers and other first responders get a 10% discount at this longtime restaurant with hand-cut steaks, seafood and an interior that pretty much serves as a salute to vets.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Nov. 2022
Bowie was never shy about acknowledging his influences, and many of his albums contain a cover or two, but Pin Ups has a specific aim: a sort of salute to a teen idol’s teen idols.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 25 June 2022
Paul Wall, a longtime sports fan and Houston rapper, will enter the ring — or what’s left of it — as part of Davies Entertainment’s salute to boxing and hip-hop music.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 20 May 2022
The benefit salute at the Mark Taper Forum also included testimonials to Moss and/or the performing arts center from Sting, Misty Copeland, Joe Sumner, Rita Coolidge, Morgan James and, of course, Herb Alpert.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2023
After a carriage ride from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards by those members of the royal family not on horseback, King Charles will take the salute at the parade.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2022
Ken Stevens, a 100-year-old survivor from the USS Whitney, returned the salute.
—Arkansas Online, 8 Dec. 2022
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These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'salute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Latin salutare, from salut-, salus health, safety, greeting, from salvus safe, healthy — more at safe
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of salute was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near salute
Cite this Entry
“Salute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salute. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
salute
1 of 2 verb
sa·lute
sə-ˈlüt 
saluted; saluting
1
: to greet with courteous words or a bow
2
a
: to honor by a standard military ceremony
b
: to show respect to by taking the proper position
salute an officer
saluter
noun
salute
2 of 2 noun2
a
: a sign or ceremony of goodwill, compliment, or respect
b
: the position taken by a person saluting a military officer
More from Merriam-Webster on salute
Nglish: Translation of salute for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of salute for Arabic Speakers
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