applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

1

: marked commendation : acclaim

the kind of applause every really creative writer wants

—Robert Tallant

2

: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping the hands)

a round of applause

Synonyms

• acclamation
• cheer
• cheering
• ovation
• plaudit(s)
• rave(s)
• réclame

Examples of applause in a Sentence

The announcement was greeted with applause and cheers.

a design for a memorial for the victims of the attack that has received nothing but applause from officials, commentators, and the general public

Recent Examples on the Web

One brave guy threaded his way across the traffic and went over and shook his hand, a handshake that caused applause from the crowd. —Karen L. Rancourt, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2025

Both the announcement and the debut of How to Train Your Dragon received strong applause from the CinemaCon crowd, and the film received positive reviews and even better box office tracking ahead of its release. —EW.com, 15 June 2025

Hours before tanks rumbled into Washington for Donald Trump’s military parade, ground shaking applause erupted in DC for someone who couldn’t be more opposed to everything the president stands for — author and Democracy Now! —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 June 2025

There were boos in the stadium and applause on the streets as the tape ended. —Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin applausus, from Latin, beating of wings, from applaudere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing applause

• round of applause
• self-applause

Rhymes for applause

• because
• byelaws
• bylaws
• caspase
• choctaws
• danaus
• macaws
• outlaws
• rickshaws
• subclause
• tawas
• withdraws

Kids Definition

applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz 

: approval shown especially by clapping the hands