salute

1 of 2

verb

sa·​lute sə-ˈlüt How to pronounce salute (audio)
saluted; saluting

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to make a salute
saluter noun

salute

2 of 2

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

Examples of salute in a Sentence

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Kimmel saluted the union after this year’s long strike. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2024 With Dilla’s estate backing the endeavor, properly saluting the Detroit icon in a tasteful manner was of the utmost importance to Royce. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 The Missouri Republican Party is working to remove a Republican candidate for governor from the ballot after a photo resurfaced online of the candidate saluting in front of a burning cross. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 Clark saluted Woodard for being among the players who helped the women’s game grow. Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2024 The other saluted the firm that finished building the school, more than a year behind schedule. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 The band, which is currently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is also being saluted in an ad promoting the Oscars, which are set for March 10. Paul Grein, Billboard, 1 Mar. 2024 Music Jimi Hendrix’s musical legacy being saluted anew by ‘Experience Hendrix’ Feb. 26, 2017 Hendrix, who also cited Guy as a key inspiration, died in 1970. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 So in its anniversary year, the museum is saluting its past. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
The parade will conclude with a march-past where the Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika, will take the salute. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Past shows have included salutes to Paul McCartney (with Lake Street Dive, Natalie Merchant, and Allison Russell), David Bowie (with the Pixies, Cyndi Lauper, Patti Smith, and the Flaming Lips), and Prince (featuring the Roots, Elvis Costello, and D’Angelo). David Browne, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 One mean girl welcomes Lena with a Nazi salute, which the latter responds to admirably with an intelligent political analysis. Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2024 Hobbit campers listened to folk-rock music, gave Roman salutes, and decorated things with Celtic crosses. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 As the band dealt with a faulty speaker setup, Harwell swayed back and forth, threatened to harm an audience member’s family and at one point gave the Nazi salute. Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023 Willie Watson and Malena Cadiz performed a salute to McCabe’s, while Mireya Ramos did the musical tribute to Jara. Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 The inaugural flight was greeted with a ceremonial water salute on the runway upon arrival from Phoenix to Tijuana. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 In a country where post-World War II legislation bans fascist symbolism including the telltale salute with outstretched right arms tilted upward, authorities have opened an investigation. Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

salute

1 of 2 verb
sa·​lute sə-ˈlüt How to pronounce salute (audio)
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 noun
1
2
a
: a sign or ceremony of goodwill, compliment, or respect
b
: the position taken by a person saluting a military officer

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