salute
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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salutes,
present (3rd person singular)
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saluted,
past participle, past
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saluting
present participle
-
Military. to pay respect to or honor by some formal act, as by raising the right hand to the side of the headgear, presenting arms, firing cannon, dipping colors, etc.
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to address with expressions of goodwill, respect, etc.; greet.
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to make a bow or other gesture to, as in greeting, farewell, or respect.
verb (used without object)
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salutes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
saluted,
past participle, past
-
saluting
present participle
-
Military. to give a salute.
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to perform a salutation.
noun
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salutes
plural
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Military.
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the special act of respect paid in saluting.
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the position of the hand or rifle in saluting.
at the salute.
-
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an act of saluting; salutation.
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a gold coin, bearing the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation, issued by Charles VI of France and by Henry V and Henry VI of England.
interjection
verb
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(tr) to address or welcome with friendly words or gestures of respect, such as bowing or lifting the hat; greet
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(tr) to acknowledge with praise or honour
we salute your gallantry
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military to pay or receive formal respect, as by presenting arms or raising the right arm
noun
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the act of saluting
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a formal military gesture of respect
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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salutesimple
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salutessimple
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have salutedperfect
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has salutedperfect
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am salutingprogressive
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are salutingprogressive
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is salutingprogressive
-
have been salutingperfect progressive
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has been salutingperfect progressive
Past
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salutedsimple
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had salutedperfect
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was salutingprogressive
-
were salutingprogressive
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had been salutingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of salute1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb saluten, “to greet courteously or respectfully,” from Latin salūtāre “to greet, hail, or salute,” derivative of salūt- (stem of salūs ) “health”; Middle English noun salu (also salue ), from Old French salu, salus, saluz, from Latin, salūs
Origin of salute2
Literally, “health”
Explanation
A salute is a sign of respect. A soldier may salute senior officers by raising a hand to his or her head, or you may informally salute a neighbor with a tip of your hat. Salute often has a military context, whether used as a verb or a noun. When gladiators showed up for a day’s work at the Coliseum in Ancient Rome, they had to be prepared to die in battle for the entertainment of the emperor. Beforehand, they would address the emperor with the Latin words “morituri te salutant”, which means “Those of us who are about to die salute you.” Many centuries later, the heavy metal band AC/DC would change those words to a song with a much happier sentiment: “For those about to rock, we salute you.” Rock on.
Vocabulary lists containing salute
When You Reach Me
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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.
See Examples For:
Ian Patterson, a decorated 15-year service member and instructor, died after a rappelling accident during a military salute before the Navy-UTSA game at the Alamodome.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
“You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that.”
From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2026
“You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that. I commend you.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
"Today, the entire world is proud of him. I urge my fellow citizens to pray for Smit's long life and excellent health, and to salute Smit, who has brought glory to India."
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Ugwu’s salute was slack, because he was worried about Olanna and Master and Baby in Umuahia, because he was not interested in His Excellency, because he did not care for the commander.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Max Medellin, 12, of Troop 10 from Reseda salutes.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
"They gave a fitting response to those who dared to attack innocent Indians at Pahalgam. The entire nation salutes our forces for their valour," he said in a statement.
From Barron's ● May 7, 2026
“Project Hail Mary” salutes its ancestors without ripping them off—alluding to “Arrival,” “E.T.” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”—but it is also, excitingly, a fresh story with bold aspirations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026
The players snapped salutes at each other after great plays.
From Salon ● Mar. 18, 2026
Jessica salutes, Zach gives me a high five, and then they turn to leave.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
At around 18:00, he saluted in the direction of two nearby diplomatic protection officers before trying to scale a security fence.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
The Hindenburg lifted off shortly after 7 p.m., saluted by a brass band playing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and cheered by a large crowd, including a Hitler Youth troop.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Carlos Beltrán, Jeff Kent and Andruw Jones saluted those who helped them reach the National Baseball Hall of Fame during their induction Sunday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Duckett punched the air, yelled to the sky and saluted the England dressing room.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Two guards skidded to a stop and saluted them.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
President Droupadi Murmu said the nation was proud of Machchhar, saluting his "heroic courage and incredible presence of mind" and saying his actions helped prevent a major tragedy.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
Many speakers, including former Sparks coach Michael Cooper and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, noted Leslie’s accomplishments while also saluting her as a kind person.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026
When Duckett turned Santner to mid-wicket for the single that took him to three figures, he clenched his fist, screamed in delight, saluting both the dressing room and his home crowd.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
And so, as these fighters walked stone-faced to the octagon, we bore witness to the revolting spectacle of the troops saluting fighters.
From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026
“Rondell Law,” Rondell said, saluting her the same as I just did.
From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña
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