acclamation

noun

ac·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌa-klə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: a loud eager expression of approval, praise, or assent

2

: an overwhelming affirmative vote by cheers, shouts, or applause rather than by ballot

Did you know?

Approval can come from a single person, but acclamation requires a larger audience. An acclaimed movie is widely praised, and critical acclaim can lead to box-office success. When a popular proposal comes up in a legislature, the speaker may ask that it be passed "by acclamation", which means that everyone just gets to yell and cheer in approval and no one bothers counting the votes at all.

Synonyms

• applause
• cheer
• cheering
• ovation
• plaudit(s)
• rave(s)
• réclame

Examples of acclamation in a Sentence

Her performance in the ballet earned her thunderous applause and shouts of acclamation from the audience.

She has earned worldwide acclamation for her charitable works.

Recent Examples on the Web

Or will voters decide Kamala Harris ought to be the nation’s first woman to take up office in the Oval Office, a candidate who didn’t win a single primary yet landed at the top of her party’s ticket by acclamation. —Staff and Wire Reports, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024

If Biden decides not to run, Vice President Kamala Harris would be the overwhelming favorite to become the Democratic nominee, although whether that would come by acclamation or only after some form of competition remained unclear. —David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2024

The delegates shouted their approval of the platform on Monday, by acclamation. —Susan Page, USA TODAY, 17 July 2024

Vance's nomination will not get a roll call vote and will instead be approved by acclamation. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French acclamacion, borrowed from Latin acclāmātiōn-, acclāmātiō, from acclāmāre "to acclaim entry 1" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

acclamation

noun

ac·​cla·​ma·​tion ˌak-lə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: a loud eager expression of approval, praise, or agreement

2

: an overwhelming positive vote by voice

elected by acclamation