clap

1 of 3

verb

ˈklap 

clapped also clapt; clapping

transitive verb

1

: to strike (two things, such as two flat, hard surfaces) together so as to produce a sharp percussive noise

2

a

: to strike (the hands) together repeatedly usually in applause

b

: applaud

3

: to strike with the flat of the hand in a friendly way

clapped his friend on the shoulder

4

: to place, put, or set especially energetically

clap him into jail

since I first clapped eyes on it

5

: to improvise or build hastily

a hut clapped together from old plywood

intransitive verb

1

: to produce a percussive sound

especially : slam

2

: to go abruptly or briskly

3

: applaud

clap

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: a device that makes a clapping noise

2

obsolete : a sudden stroke of fortune and especially ill fortune

3

: a loud percussive noise

specifically : a sudden crash of thunder

4

a

: a sudden blow

b

: a friendly slap

a clap on the back

5

: the sound of clapping hands

especially : applause

clap

3 of 3

noun (2)

: gonorrhea

—often used with the

Synonyms of clap

Verb

• slap
• smack
• knock
• hit
• punch
• bang
• slam
• strike
• clip
• whack
• swipe

Noun (1)

• bang
• boom
• blast
• pop
• roar
• thunderclap
• slam

Examples of clap in a Sentence

Verb

She clapped in delight when she heard the news.

The audience clapped to the beat of the music.

The conductor clapped her hands twice, and the musicians stopped talking and prepared to play.

He clapped his friend on the shoulder.

He clapped his hand over his mouth when he realized what he had said.

He clapped his hat on his head and went out the door.

She clapped a muzzle on the dog.

The prisoners were clapped in irons.

Noun (1)

a clap of thunder that woke the whole house up

a sharp clap to the head of the disrespectful youth

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the end of the song, everybody claps, and then the music comes back as everybody marches off the stage, just all those kinds of things. — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026

Black stood alongside Dion, clapping over his head during a guitar solo and enthusiastically taking in the show. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2026

Noun

Once the song ends, and with a smile on his face, Ludden claps and thanks the volunteers. — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026

The red, as startling as a cymbal clap, strikes the eye, but the impending drama remains out of sight. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English clappen, from Old English clæppan to throb; akin to Old High German klaphōn to beat

Noun (2)

Middle French clapoir bubo

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing clap

• clap back
• clap eyes on
• the clap

Rhymes for clap

• app
• cap
• chap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe
• pap

Kids Definition

clap

1 of 3 verb

ˈklap 

clapped; clapping

1

: to strike noisily : bang

clap two boards together

the door clapped shut

2

: to strike the hands together over and over in applause

3

: to strike with the open hand

clap a friend on the shoulder

4

: to place, put, or set especially energetically

clap him into jail

since I first clapped eyes on it

5

: to make or build hastily

clap together a shelter

clap

2 of 3 noun

1

: a sound made by or as if by clapping

a clap of thunder

2

: a friendly slap

a clap on the shoulder

clap

3 of 3 noun

: gonorrhea

—often used with the

Medical Definition

clap

noun

ˈklap 

: gonorrhea

—often used with the