ovation
Americannoun
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an enthusiastic public reception of a person, marked especially by loud and prolonged applause.
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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.
noun
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an enthusiastic reception, esp one of prolonged applause
a standing ovation
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a victory procession less glorious than a triumph awarded to a Roman general
Other Word Forms
- ovational adjective
Etymology
Origin of ovation
1525–35; < Latin ovātiōn- (stem of ovātiō ) a rejoicing, shouting, equivalent to ovāt ( us ) (past participle of ovāre to rejoice) + -iōn- -ion
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.
He managed to mutter a few words with the help of his host, and was thrilled to receive a standing ovation from the crown for his efforts.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
There was even a World Series star coming out of the bullpen, new cult hero Will Klein entering the game to the night’s loudest ovation and throwing a scoreless inning.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
The crowd in Los Angeles loved it: His win was greeted with a standing ovation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
Barnes had even walked off to a standing ovation, but he soon had his hands on his head on the bench as he watched the victory slip from Newcastle's grasp.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
When she acknowledged that the recognition by the University of Wisconsin was the first they had received, the audience gave the women a standing ovation.
From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson
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.
