approbation
Americannoun
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approval; commendation.
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official approval or sanction.
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Obsolete. conclusive proof.
noun
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commendation; praise
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official recognition or approval
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an obsolete word for proof
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of approbation
1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin approbātiōn- (stem of approbātiō ). See approbate, -ion
Explanation
Approbation is a formal word for approval or praise. Approbation is like getting the nod in a big way. Politicians rely on the public’s approbation to get elected. How is it possible that approbation means approval when probation is a form of being in trouble? Probation is a testing period, to see if you can be good. Approbation means it's all good. Or you can remember this rhyme: "Filled with approbation, the audience gave a standing ovation."
Vocabulary lists containing approbation
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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Grade 11, List 4
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Things Fall Apart
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two groups in the upper left, "The Approbation of the Grateful Masses" and "The Invocation of Camelot" are abraded and blistered beyond repair.
From Time Magazine Archive
Whenever you commend, add your Reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the Approbation of a Man of Sense from the Flattery of Sycophants, and Admiration of Fools.
From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest
He asked them, whether they had made Peace with the Governor of Canada; they answered, that it only wanted his Approbation, and added, that they could no longer carry on the War without Assistance.
From The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Part I, Part II by Colden, Cadwallader
On the Governor's concluding the Speech, the solemn Cry by Way of Approbation was repeated by the Indians, as many Times as there were Nations present; and then Canassateego rose up and spoke.
From The History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada Attachments and Support Papers by Colden, Cadwallader
I have often heard of the Gentleman, he is in great Esteem amongst Our best Critics abroad, and I shall make it my particular Study to merit his Approbation.
From The Covent Garden Theatre, or Pasquin Turn'd Drawcansir by Macklin, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
