English
clap
Pronunciation Noun

clap (plural claps)

  1. The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.
    He summoned the waiter with a clap.
  2. The explosive sound of thunder.
    • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[[Episode 12: The Cyclops]]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare & Co.; Sylvia Beach, OCLC 560090630 ↗; republished London: Published for the Egoist Press, London by John Rodker, Paris, October 1922, OCLC 2297483 ↗:
      The deafening claps of thunder and the dazzling flashes of lightning which lit up the ghastly scene testified that the artillery of heaven had lent its supernatural pomp to the already gruesome spectacle.
  3. Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.
    Off in the distance, he heard the clap of thunder.
    • 1731, Jonathan Swift, Directions to Servants
      Give the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room.
  4. A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.
    His father's affection never went further than a handshake or a clap on the shoulder.
  5. A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
    • c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act I, scene iv]:
      What, fifty of my followers at a clap!
  6. (falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
  7. (Yorkshire) A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground)
    • 1890, John Nicholson, Folk Lore of East Yorkshire, page 139 ↗
      “Oh! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”
Synonyms Related terms Translations Translations Verb

clap (claps, present participle clapping; past and past participle clapped)

  1. To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.
    The children began to clap in time with the music.
  2. To applaud.
    The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.
    It isn’t the singers they are clapping; it's the composer.
  3. To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.
    He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.
  4. To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.
    He clapped the empty glass down on the table.
    She clapped the book shut.
    He clapped across the floor in his boots.
    • Then like a bird it sits and sings, / And whets and claps its silver wings.
  5. To come together suddenly with noise.
    • 1677, John Dryden, ''All for Love
      The doors around me clapped.
  6. To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together).
    We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.
    The rival factions clapped up a truce.
  7. To set or put, usually in haste.
    The sheriff clapped him in jail.
    She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on.
    • 1693, [John Locke], “§138”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], OCLC 1161614482 ↗:
      He had just time to get in and clap to the door.
    • Clap an extinguisher upon your irony.
  8. (slang, AAVE) To shoot (somebody) with a gun.
Translations
  • German: klatschen
  • Portuguese: bater palmas
  • Russian: хло́пать
Translations Translations
  • German: knallen
  • Russian: хло́пать
Translations Noun

clap (plural claps)

  1. (slang, with "the") Gonorrhea.
Translations

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