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
Whenever someone reaches the top of the 25-meter (82-feet) cliff — often for the first time — spectators, instructors and climbers break into applause.
—
ABC News,
5 July 2026
Spontaneous applause erupted — and even some tears were shed — at the battered parking structure where Gil had been entombed since the two temblors struck within seconds of each other on June 24.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
When the final whistle blew, applause echoed from both sides.
—
Latif Love
july 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
Jackson brought the ball onto the pitch pregame and received applause from fans when shown on the jumbotron.
—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for applause
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.
ABC News,
5 July 2026
Spontaneous applause erupted — and even some tears were shed — at the battered parking structure where Gil had been entombed since the two temblors struck within seconds of each other on June 24.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
5 July 2026
When the final whistle blew, applause echoed from both sides.
—
Latif Love
july 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2026
Jackson brought the ball onto the pitch pregame and received applause from fans when shown on the jumbotron.
—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for applause
Cite this Entry
“Applause.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/applause. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
applause
noun
ap·plause
ə-ˈplȯz 
: approval shown especially by clapping the hands
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
