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

In practice, the occasion got to Nadal within minutes of walking out to a thunderous ovation.

From BBC

Douglas came off the bench to a huge ovation, but Storti scored almost immediately.

From BBC

The King, who has also been treated for cancer, received a standing ovation from the audience when he arrived.

From BBC

The first team to pass deserves a standing ovation from the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

On the first performance, you’re wondering how the audience is going to respond to the art, but the response was great and the standing ovations happened and I just felt like a big relief.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acclaim
• acclamation
• applause
• testimonial