I. clap 1 /klæp/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle clapped , present participle clapping )
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: clæppan ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to hit your hands against each other many times to make a sound that shows your approval, agreement, or enjoyment ⇨ applause :
One man began to clap, and others joined in.
The couple were cheered and clapped on their arrival.
The audience clapped politely but without much enthusiasm.
2 . [transitive] if you clap your hands, you hit your hands together a few times to attract someone’s attention or to show that you are pleased:
Narouz clapped his hands and a servant entered.
Mandy laughed and clapped her hands in delight.
3 . [transitive] to put your hand on something quickly and firmly:
‘Mick!’ She clapped her hand over her mouth. ‘I’d forgotten!’
Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder.
4 . clap eyes on somebody/something British English informal to see someone or something, especially when you did not expect to:
Mark had loved the house from the moment he clapped eyes on it.
5 . clap somebody in prison/jail/irons literary to suddenly put someone in prison or chains
—clapping noun [uncountable] :
Each song was greeted with enthusiastic clapping.
II. clap 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Sense 1-2: Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ clap 1 ]
[ Sense 3: Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: clapoir 'swelling on the skin' ]
1 . [singular] the loud sound that you make when you hit your hands together many times to show that you enjoyed something
give somebody a clap British English :
Come on everyone, let’s give Tommy a clap.
2 . [singular] a sudden loud noise:
an ear-splitting clap of thunder
3 . the clap informal ↑ gonorrhea