salutes; saluted; saluting
1
: to give a sign of respect to (a military officer, flag, etc.) by moving your right hand to your forehead : to give a salute to (someone or something)
He saluted the officer.
Salute the flag.
The officer saluted.
2
: to show respect for (someone or something) : to publicly praise (someone or something)
We salute our country's soldiers.
The players saluted the fans.
The president saluted her bravery.
plural salutes
1
: the act of moving your right hand to your forehead as a sign of respect to a military officer, flag, etc.
The officers gave the general a salute.
They raised their hands in salute.
2
: an act or ceremony that shows respect for someone
a 21-gun salute [=a military ceremony where 21 guns are fired in the air to honor someone]
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.
Cite this Entry
“Salute.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/salute. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.
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