salute

¹ American  

[suh-loot] / səˈlut /

verb (used with object)

saluted, saluting

1. Military. to pay respect to or honor by some formal act, as by raising the right hand to the side of the headgear, presenting arms, firing cannon, dipping colors, etc.

2. to address with expressions of goodwill, respect, etc.; greet.

3. to make a bow or other gesture to, as in greeting, farewell, or respect.

4. to express respect or praise for; hail; commend.

   Synonyms:

   praise, laud, extol, cheer, applaud

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verb (used without object)

saluted, saluting

1. Military. to give a salute.

2. to perform a salutation.

noun

1. Military.

   1. the special act of respect paid in saluting.

   2. the position of the hand or rifle in saluting.

      at the salute.

2. an act of saluting; salutation.

3. a gold coin, bearing the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation, issued by Charles VI of France and by Henry V and Henry VI of England.

salute ² American  

[sah-loo-te] / sɑˈlu tɛ /

interjection

Italian.

1. (used after a person has sneezed or as a toast.)

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salute British  

/ səˈluːt /

verb

1. (tr) to address or welcome with friendly words or gestures of respect, such as bowing or lifting the hat; greet

2. (tr) to acknowledge with praise or honour

   we salute your gallantry

3. military to pay or receive formal respect, as by presenting arms or raising the right arm

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noun

1. the act of saluting

2. a formal military gesture of respect

Other Word Forms

• saluter noun
• unsaluted adjective
• unsaluting adjective

Etymology

Origin of salute¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb saluten, “to greet courteously or respectfully,” from Latin salūtāre “to greet, hail, or salute,” derivative of salūt- (stem of salūs ) “health”; Middle English noun salu (also salue ), from Old French salu, salus, saluz, from Latin, salūs

Origin of salute²

Literally, “health”

Example Sentences

The two videos, each lasting less than 30 seconds, show one of the helicopters hovering by the music star’s swimming pool as he salutes the crew.

From The Wall Street Journal

Kid Rock -- whose real name is Robert Ritchie -- posted a video on X over the weekend showing a helicopter hovering near his mountaintop home's swimming pool as he clapped and saluted.

From Barron's

One clip shows Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, standing poolside next to a replica of the Statue of Liberty, clapping and saluting as the aircraft hovers before flying away.

From BBC

Sometimes a junior constable walked into the frame and saluted her.

From The Wall Street Journal

A leading Reform candidate who appeared to perform a Nazi salute in a photo has quit ahead of the Welsh Parliament election.

From BBC

Related Words

• acknowledge
• bow
• congratulate
• hail
• recognize
• welcome