Meaning

(Ancient Rome) A victory ceremony of less importance than a triumph..

Definitions by Sense

1. (Ancient Rome) A victory ceremony of less importance than a triumph.
2. (by extension) A (ceremony for the) recognition of some achievement.
3. (by extension) Prolonged enthusiastic applause.
4. (ambitransitive, informal, rare) To give (someone) an ovation (prolonged enthusiastic applause).
5. (zoology, obsolete, rare) The act of laying eggs.

Example Sentences

Triumph, a Solemn Honour done to Generals after great Victories, receiving them into Town with Publick Acclamations; there were two ſorts among the Romans; the Great, that was ſimply called Tr[i]umph; and the Little called, Ovation; […] [I]t was by Special Priviledge that L. Cornelius Lentulus, Proconſul, was admitted to this Honour of an Ovation, in 553. […]

The Dictator [Mamercus Aemilius Mamercinus] was allow'd a Triumph, and [Aulus Cornelius] Coſſus an Ovation, wherein he appear'd with the Spoils of K[ing] Volumnius [i.e., Lars Tolumnius], and fix'd them as a ſolemn Offering in the Temple of Jupiter Feretrius, being the firſt Spolia Opima that had been brought thither ſince the Time of Romulus.

He who had no more than an Ovation granted him, was not crown'd with Laurel, but Myrtle: The Senate, however, and all the ſeveral Orders of Magiſtrates went to meet him. […] It was the way at firſt in Ovations for the Conqueror to go on Foot, but the Cuſtom of riding on Horſeback was afterwards introduc'd. […] Inſtead of bulls, the Victims us'd in the greater Triumphs, they had Sheep in their Ovations, or rather Rams crown'd, which were led before the Conqueror, in order to be ſacrific'd when the Proceſſion was over.

How attentive were the Romans to the language of ſigns! They wore garments peculiar to their different ranks and ages; they had their togas, and diſtinguiſhing ornaments of various kinds, their roſtrums, their lictors, their faſces, their crowns, ovations, triumphs, &c. all was parade and ceremony; and all had its effect on the minds of the citizens.

Proceede then in your bleſt Inauguration, / And celebrate this Annuall Ovation; / Whilſt you nor this way, nor to that way leane, / But ſhunne th' extreames, to keepe the golden meane.

May 19. [1649] Oliver Cromwell Lieutenant General of the Parliament Army was then alſo created Dr. of Civil Law. […] [H]is atchievment was induſtriouſly cried up at Weſtminſter and all the Grandees of Scriptural Ovation were fitted and accommodated thereunto.

As when a Wolf or Fox too long does fleece / The Non-reſiſting Lambs, or Paſſive Geeſe, / The Peaſants take th' alarm, and ſeize the Foe, / And ſhouting Boys in long Ovation go: […]

I saw reverend prelates, who, tearing off their lawn, put themſelves into red coats, and ſoon obtained triumphs and ovations; while others dwindled into pariſh clerks, and village pedagogues.

Word Forms

• ovations
• ovationing
• ovationed

Synonyms for ovation

Antonyms for ovation

Related Words

When Should You Use Ovation?

Use ovation when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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