plaudit

noun

plau·​dit ˈplȯ-dət How to pronounce plaudit (audio)
1
: an act or round of applause
2
: enthusiastic approval
usually used in plural
received the plaudits of the critics

Did you know?

You earn plaudits for your etymological knowledge if you can connect plaudit to words besides the familiar applaud and applause. A word coined by shortening Latin plaudite, meaning "applaud," plaudit had gained approval status in English by the first years of the 17th century. Latin plaudite is a form of the verb plaudere, meaning "to applaud"; plaudere, in turn, is ancestor to explode, plausible, and the archaic displode (a synonym of explode).

Examples of plaudit in a Sentence

the proud parents bragged that their daughter had received many plaudits for her academic achievements
Recent Examples on the Web An impeccable swing technique – posted to the USGA’s Twitter account – drew plenty of plaudits. Jack Bantock, CNN, 10 May 2023 His striking work and commanding presence, especially on stage, have earned Iwuji plaudits and prestige, but it’s never been quite enough to vault him into the movie career of his dreams. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 3 May 2023 Brandon Vazquez will get his share of the headlines for his first goal of 2023 but goalkeeper Roman Celentano needs his share of the plaudits too. Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 26 Mar. 2023 Saied’s comments drew plaudits from Éric Zemmour, a leader of France’s far right who is known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigrant views. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2023 These attributes earned him critical plaudits and a devoted fanbase, due in part to Kelly’s willingness to write about honesty, self-worth, and the personal struggles that have shaped most of his adult life. Daniel Kohn, SPIN, 8 May 2023 Whitley threw 38 of 57 pitches for strikes in 2 2/3 innings earlier this month, drawing plaudits from general manager Dana Brown in the process. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 17 Mar. 2023 Atkinson and Brooklyn never quite rose to the heights of the Finals during his four-year run from 2016-20, but his work rebuilding a broken roster deserves major plaudits. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 17 Apr. 2023 This public reconciliation of the bishops won Abiy public plaudits. Katharine Houreld, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plaudit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin plaudite applaud, plural imperative of plaudere to applaud

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaudit was in 1600

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Dictionary Entries Near plaudit

Cite this Entry

“Plaudit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaudit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plaudit

noun
plau·​dit ˈplȯd-ət How to pronounce plaudit (audio)
1
2
: enthusiastic approval
usually used in plural
received the plaudits of the critics
Etymology

from Latin plaudite, a form of plaudere "to clap" — related to applaud, explode, plausible see Word History at explode, plausible

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