salute

1 of 2

verb

sa·​lute sə-ˈlüt 

saluted; saluting

transitive verb

1

a

: to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor

b

: to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to : greet

2

: to become apparent to (one of the senses)

3

a

: to honor (a person, a nation, an event, etc.) by a conventional military or naval ceremony

b

: to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position

c

: to express commendation of : praise

intransitive verb

: to make a salute

saluter noun

salute

2 of 2

noun

1

: greeting, salutation

2

a

: a sign, token, or ceremony expressing goodwill, compliment, or respect

the festival was a salute to the arts

b

: the position (as of the hand) or the entire attitude of a person saluting a superior

3

: firecracker

Synonyms

Verb

• acclaim
• accredit
• applaud
• cheer
• crack up
• hail
• laud
• praise
• tout

Noun

• greeting
• hello
• salutation
• welcome

Examples of salute in a Sentence

Verb

We salute our country's soldiers.

The players saluted the fans.

The president saluted her bravery.

Noun

The officers gave the general a salute.

They raised their hands in salute.

The concert was a salute to country music legends.

Twenty-one guns were fired in salute.

We raise our glasses in salute to the newlyweds.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Discovery Renewal Deal In a statement from the MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports, two entities controlled by the Dolan family, the patriarch was saluted as a profoundly influential leader in media and business. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 29 Dec. 2024

The concert, the second saluting the album this year, featured Pogues members Spider Stacy on tin whistle, Jem Finer on banjo, and James Fearnley on accordion. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024

Noun

Our 1983 show theme was a salute to American music. —Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024

On hand for his salute were actor/director and fellow countryman Andy Garcia, and Cuban pianist/bandleader Chucho Valdés. —Paul Harris, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin salutare, from salut-, salus health, safety, greeting, from salvus safe, healthy — more at safe

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

salute

1 of 2 verb

sa·​lute sə-ˈlüt 

saluted; saluting

1

: to greet with courteous words or a bow

2

a

: to honor by a standard military ceremony

b

: to show respect to by taking the proper position

salute an officer

saluter noun

salute

2 of 2 noun

1

: salutation sense 1, greeting

2

a

: a sign or ceremony of goodwill, compliment, or respect

b

: the position taken by a person saluting a military officer