/ əˈplɔːd; NAmE / verb
1.
to show your approval of sb/sth by clapping your hands :
[ v ]
He started to applaud and the others joined in.
[ vn ]
They rose to applaud the speaker.
She was applauded as she came on stage.
2.
[ vn ] applaud sb/sth (for sth) ( formal ) to express praise for sb/sth because you approve of them or it :
We applaud her decision.
His efforts to improve the situation are to be applauded.
I applaud her for having the courage to refuse.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from Latin applaudere , from ad- to + plaudere to clap, reinforced by French applaudir .