to strike the palms of (one's hands) against one another resoundingly, and usually repeatedly, esp. to express approval

She clapped her hands in appreciation.

to strike (someone) amicably with a light, open-handed slap, as in greeting, encouragement, or the like

He clapped his friend on the back.

to strike (an object) against something quickly and forcefully, producing an abrupt, sharp sound, or a series of such sounds

to clap a book on the table.

to bring together forcefully (facing surfaces of the same object)

She clapped the book shut.

to applaud (a performance, speech, speaker, etc.) by clapping the hands

The audience clapped the actors at the end of the act.

to put or place quickly or forcefully

to clap a lid on a jar; She clapped her hand over his mouth. They clapped him in jail.

to make or arrange hastily (often fol. by up or together ).

to clap the hands, as to express approval; applaud

After the audience stopped clapping, the tenor sang two encores.

to make an abrupt, sharp sound, as of flat surfaces striking against one another

The shutters clapped in the wind.

to move or strike with such a sound

She clapped across the room in her slippers.

an act or instance of clapping.

the abrupt, sharp sound produced by clapping.

a resounding blow; slap.

a loud and abrupt or explosive noise, as of thunder.

a sudden stroke, blow, or act.

Printing . clapper ( def. 5 ) .

Obsolete . a sudden mishap. ?

clap eyes on. eye ( def. 42 ) .

clap hold of

Nautical . to take hold of.

noun

applause , bang , blast , boom , burst , crack , crash , handclap , pat , slam , slap , smash , strike , thrust , thunder , thunderclap , thwack , wallop , whack , wham , bark , explosion , pop , rat-a-tat-tat , snap

verb

acclaim , approve , bang , cheer , give a big hand , give a hand , hear it for , pat , praise , slap , strike gently , thwack , whack , root , bark , pop , snap , crash , slam , applaud , boom , chatter , clack , clink , crack , explosion , flap , peal , roar , smack , strike , stroke , thunder