ovation

[oh-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. an enthusiastic public reception of a person, marked especially by loud and prolonged applause.

2. Roman History.,  the ceremonial entrance into Rome of a commander whose victories were of a lesser degree of importance than that for which a triumph was accorded.

ovation

/ əʊˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. an enthusiastic reception, esp one of prolonged applause

   a standing ovation

2. a victory procession less glorious than a triumph awarded to a Roman general

Other Word Forms

• ovational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovation¹

1525–35; < Latin ovātiōn- (stem of ovātiō ) a rejoicing, shouting, equivalent to ovāt ( us ) (past participle of ovāre to rejoice) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovation¹

C16: from Latin ovātiō rejoicing, from ovāre to exult

Example Sentences

Upon his return Tuesday, the host was greeted with a standing ovation by his studio audience.

From Los Angeles Times

Naja Lyberth, who was one of the first of the Inuit Greenlanders to speak out about what happened, received a standing ovation as she addressed Wednesday's event.

From BBC

Kimmel was greeted by the studio audience with a long standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Clayton Kershaw receives a standing ovation in what might have been his final start at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers clinch a playoff berth before beating the Giants.

From Los Angeles Times

So, when he then emerged for the start of the first inning, they serenaded him with an extended ovation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acclaim 
• acclamation 
• applause 
• testimonial