1
: marked commendation : acclaim
the kind of applause every really creative writer wants—
Robert Tallant
Robert Tallant2
: 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
If there’s even an infinitesimal difference the crowd can make in these spots, better to hear unscrupulous applause than the death rattle that fell across the Garden as the ball hung in the air then plunged it straight to hell at the end of regulation.
—Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Warm, enthusiastic applause rolled over the auditorium in waves as the film credits rolled, and the Dardennes embraced their co-stars.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
In the room, Thompson’s admonishment was met with applause.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
After the screening ended to rapturous applause, Johansson gave Squibb a tender hug that seemed to go on for several minutes.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for applause
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Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Warm, enthusiastic applause rolled over the auditorium in waves as the film credits rolled, and the Dardennes embraced their co-stars.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
In the room, Thompson’s admonishment was met with applause.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
After the screening ended to rapturous applause, Johansson gave Squibb a tender hug that seemed to go on for several minutes.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for applause
Cite this Entry
“Applause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applause. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
applause
noun
ap·plause
ə-ˈplȯz 
: approval shown especially by clapping the hands
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