1  to strike the hands together over and over to show approval or praise

[no object]

• The audience stood and applauded [=clapped] at the end of the show.

[+ object]

• Everyone applauded the graduates as they entered the auditorium.
• The audience stood and applauded her performance.

2 [+ object] : to express approval of or support for (something or someone)

• They applauded [=praised] the change in policy.
• We applaud the decision to lower taxes.
• I applaud their efforts to clean up the city, but they must do more.