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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
That was one of many events over four days that included concerts, book signings, food and drink parties, and walking tours that saluted the life and legacy of Buffett on the island that mutually fed the territorial muse and the talented musician-songwriter. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Disco Divas, Milwaukee Symphony Pops Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling continues his reinvigoration of the MSO's Pops series with this program saluting powerhouse voices of the disco era, such as Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and others. Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
Both commanded the respect of a standstill, silence, salutes, and honor. Paula Pedene, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 The salute to Bavarian heritage features authentic German beer and fare, crafts, music, dance, oom-pah-pah entertainment and more. Laura Daily, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for salute

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Salute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salute. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on salute

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