acclamation

American  

[ak-luh-mey-shuhn] / ˌæk ləˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a loud shout or other demonstration of welcome, goodwill, or approval.

2. act of acclaiming.

3. Liturgy. a brief responsive chant in antiphonal singing.

4. Ecclesiastical. response.

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idioms

1. by acclamation, by an oral vote, often unanimous, expressing approval by shouts, hand-clapping, etc., rather than by formal ballot.

acclamation British  

/ -trɪ, ˌækləˈmeɪʃən, əˈklæmətərɪ /

noun

1. an enthusiastic reception or exhibition of welcome, approval, etc

2. an expression of approval by a meeting or gathering through shouts or applause

3. an instance of electing or being elected without opposition

   there were two acclamations in the 1985 election

4. 1. by an overwhelming majority without a ballot

   2. (of an election or electoral victory) without opposition

      he won by acclamation

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Other Word Forms

• acclamatory adjective
• reacclamation noun

Etymology

Origin of acclamation

1535–45; < Latin acclāmātiōn- (stem of acclāmātiō ) a shouting, equivalent to acclāmāt ( us ) (past participle of acclāmāre; acclaim, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Acclamation is acclaim or recognition for some achievement. A major league baseball team might have to win the World Series to get acclamation, but a t-ball team might get acclamation simply for finishing an entire game. The acclamation you get on opening night might be your main incentive for acting in plays. Likewise, the acclamation they receive while campaigning is probably more attractive to some politicians than the actual work of governing. Acclamation can sometimes take the form of enthusiastic shouting, and in fact the Latin root acclamationem means "a shout of approval."

Example Sentences

“The modern view,” Mr. Sidebottom writes, “is to doubt its historical accuracy. It is a scholarly orthodoxy that the salute was no more than a one-off impromptu acclamation that went very wrong.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The Kazakh was the only candidate left standing and was named president by acclamation at the annual congress in Rome.

From Barron's • Nov. 23, 2025

It has been suggested that rather than a traditional vote, ratification might instead be confirmed by acclamation - with federations in favour asked to show their support by applauding.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2024

The Buzz Gang’s first pass at the best-picture race mixes personal picks and perceived slam dunks by acclamation, this summer’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon among them.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2023

Thus, ’twas with general acclamation that we greeted the arrival of two women to collect our laundry this day.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Related Words

• ovation
• salutation