acclamation

noun

ac·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌa-klə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce acclamation (audio)
1
: a loud eager expression of approval, praise, or assent
2
: an overwhelming affirmative vote by cheers, shouts, or applause rather than by ballot

Did you know?

Approval can come from a single person, but acclamation requires a larger audience. An acclaimed movie is widely praised, and critical acclaim can lead to box-office success. When a popular proposal comes up in a legislature, the speaker may ask that it be passed "by acclamation", which means that everyone just gets to yell and cheer in approval and no one bothers counting the votes at all.

Examples of acclamation in a Sentence

Her performance in the ballet earned her thunderous applause and shouts of acclamation from the audience. She has earned worldwide acclamation for her charitable works.
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.
The big picture: Democrats are making few changes to their top leadership ranks, despite falling short of their goal of winning a House majority on Nov. 5. House Democratic caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) were both reelected by acclamation. Andrew Solender, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 He should have been given his day in the Cooperstown sunshine years ago, and by acclamation. Steve Buckley, The Athletic, 2 Apr. 2024 Or will voters decide Kamala Harris ought to be the nation’s first woman to take up office in the Oval Office, a candidate who didn’t win a single primary yet landed at the top of her party’s ticket by acclamation. Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024 If Biden decides not to run, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the overwhelming favorite to become the Democratic nominee, although whether that would come by acclamation or only after some form of competition remained unclear. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for acclamation 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French acclamacion, borrowed from Latin acclāmātiōn-, acclāmātiō, from acclāmāre "to acclaim entry 1" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acclamation was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near acclamation

Cite this Entry

“Acclamation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acclamation. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

acclamation

noun
ac·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌak-lə-ˈmā-shən How to pronounce acclamation (audio)
1
: a loud eager expression of approval, praise, or agreement
2
: an overwhelming positive vote by voice
elected by acclamation

More from Merriam-Webster on acclamation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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