applause

noun

ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz How to pronounce applause (audio)
1
: marked commendation : acclaim
the kind of applause every really creative writer wantsRobert Tallant
2
: approval publicly expressed (as by clapping the hands)
a round of applause

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
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.
However, attendees showed no sign of boredom and punctuated her approximately 30-minute oration at City Hall with applause. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025 Several speeches eventually erupted into loud boisterous lectures, while nearly every speech was met with a roaring applause from half the room. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2025 Indeed, any speaker could count on cheap, spontaneous applause by attacking the former government official by name. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2025 Thunderous applause greets the conclusion of young cellist Curtis Wilson’s performance. Joan Gaylord, Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for applause

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of applause was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Applause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applause. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

applause

noun
ap·​plause ə-ˈplȯz How to pronounce applause (audio)
: approval shown especially by clapping the hands

More from Merriam-Webster on applause

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!