clap
verb (used with object)
to strike the palms of (one's hands) against one another resoundingly, and usually repeatedly, especially to express approval.
are clapping
-
present progressiveof clap.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
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.
They are clapping and dancing to upbeat tunes playing over the sound system and smiling ear to ear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2025
"Look at all these people, they are clapping for you," he said, as the audience duly obliged.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2023
It can be tricky sometimes, because I am performing and people are clapping, and my sisters are sleeping in cars in southern Turkey — the center of the earthquake.
From New York Times ● Mar. 2, 2023
People are clapping because they’re family members have died.
From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2020
Zach Oh is shouting the words, and so are Olivia and Luke and Dawn Celeste, and they’ve all caught on and are clapping, and Malcolm adds a little fist in the air at each punctuation.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
