Meaning of clap In English

• 0 to make a short loud noise by hitting your hands together:

  • "When I clap my hands, you stand still," said the teacher.

  • The band played a familiar tune which had everyone clapping along.

  • The audience clapped in time to the music.

  • The audience clapped and cheered when she stood up to speak.

  • We all clapped his performance enthusiastically.

• 1 to put a person or thing somewhere quickly or suddenly:

  • She clapped her hand over her mouth to try to stop herself from laughing.

  • The police clapped him into/in prison for possession of drugs.

• 2 to hit someone lightly on the shoulder or back in a friendly way, especially to express pleasure at what they have done:

  • He clapped his daughter on the back and told her how proud of her he was.

• 3 the act of clapping your hands continuously to show that you like or admire someone or something:

  • Let's give a big clap to/for our winning contestant!

  • There was a clap of thunder and then it started to pour with rain.

• 4 the act of hitting someone lightly on the shoulder or back in a friendly way, especially to express pleasure at what they have done:

  • He gave me a friendly clap on the shoulder and said, "Well done!"

• 5 slang for gonorrhoea UK :

  • a nasty dose of the clap

• 6 to make a short, loud noise by hitting your hands together:

  • [ T ] She clapped her hands to call the dog in.

  • [ I ] Everyone was clapping and cheering.

• 7 to hit someone lightly on the shoulder or back in a friendly way to express pleasure:

  • The governor clapped him on the back and congratulated him.

• 8 the act of hitting your hands together to make a short, loud noise, esp. at the end of a speech or performance to show that you are pleased:

  • There were a few claps, and then embarrassing silence.