acclamation
Americannoun
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a loud shout or other demonstration of welcome, goodwill, or approval.
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act of acclaiming.
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Liturgy. a brief responsive chant in antiphonal singing.
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Ecclesiastical. response.
idioms
noun
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an enthusiastic reception or exhibition of welcome, approval, etc
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an expression of approval by a meeting or gathering through shouts or applause
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an instance of electing or being elected without opposition
there were two acclamations in the 1985 election
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by an overwhelming majority without a ballot
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(of an election or electoral victory) without opposition
he won by acclamation
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of acclamation
1535–45; < Latin acclāmātiōn- (stem of acclāmātiō ) a shouting, equivalent to acclāmāt ( us ) (past participle of acclāmāre; see 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."
Vocabulary lists containing acclamation
March: Book Three
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The Sun Also Rises
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The Golden Compass
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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.
But he knew enough to avoid committing himself to any policy promise before he was selected as Labour’s leader and the next prime minister by acclamation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 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 would appear, therefore, that if federations oppose one bid, they would have to support neither, with no separate acclamation for each of the potential hosts.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2024
The role is partly ceremonial — Mainelli’s election in November was conducted by acclamation and was followed by a 3-mile procession, with floats, marching bands and a gold State Coach.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2024
He clasped their hands to his chest, overcome with tears, and there was general acclamation.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
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.
