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. Compare triumph ( def 4 ).

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

Derived Forms

• oˈvational, adjective

Other Words From

• o·vation·al 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

After Carey was shot, the House of Representatives gave the Capitol Police a standing ovation.

From Washington Post

Democrats gave Pelosi a standing ovation as the final tally was announced, while the Republican side of the chamber was nearly empty.

From Fortune

Like Nixon, when he declared Bush the winner – asking God to bless his opponent – Gore drew a standing ovation.

From Washington Post

She not only earned a standing ovation and passing grade, but it laid the groundwork for her academic and musical career.

From Ozy

He is happy and at peace with retiring at 28 — even if there was no ovation, no coverage, no ceremony to offer tear-filled gratitude to his teammates, family or fans.

From Washington Post

The two were greeted with a standing ovation from the audience in the sold-out Empire Theatre.

From The Daily Beast

When you have a number like “Maybe This Time” that is so powerful you need to have a standing ovation afterwards.

From The Daily Beast

But if someone falls on the floor or voids themselves that is a standing ovation.

From The Daily Beast

Before he could sip, his name was announced and he had to run onto the stage to receive a standing ovation.

From The Daily Beast

Its placing at the apex of British life is itself a little nuts, as the Ovation series shows.

From The Daily Beast

The party were greeted with one continued ovation during the journey.

From Project Gutenberg

When the espada finally performs his courageous feat under such conditions, he obtains such an ovation as his skill deserves.

From Project Gutenberg

A moment afterward the Kiowa finished his boastful tale, and received a noisy ovation from his people.

From Project Gutenberg

He insists that this is the only fitting thing to do, that to live after such a reception and ovation would be an anti-climax.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Lincoln met with a splendid ovation from the troops and the colored people as he rode about the city.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acclaim
• acclamation
• applause
• testimonial