noun
ovation
oh-VAY-shuhn
noun
1
Loud, sustained applause given in appreciation of something.
"The singer received a standing ovation at the end of the show."
"His speech earned a thunderous ovation from the crowd."
2
A public show of praise or recognition for an achievement.
"The retiring coach was given an ovation for decades of service."
How to Use Ovation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEnthusiastic clapping and cheering to honor someone.
Common mistake
Usually paired with "standing" for the strongest form of praise (a standing ovation).
Common pairings
standing ovation
give someone an ovation
rapturous ovation
Word Forms
ovationed past tense, ovations plural, ovations singular
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The singer received a standing _____ at the end of the show.
Etymology
From Latin ovatio, a lesser form of victory celebration than a full triumph, from the verb ovare, "to rejoice."