Applause is primarily a form of ovation or praise expressed by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences usually applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play, as a sign of enjoyment and approval.
Crowd applause taken at the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 2006, Liverpool, England
Violinist Aleksey Semenenko coming to receive applause after performing in concert with the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra at Kurhaus Wiesbaden, conducted by Luigi Gaggero who stands at the back of the stage.
Visual applause pictured at the Pittsburgh Deaf Clubhouse
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim. In Ancient Rome returning military commanders whose victories did not quite meet the requirements of a triumph but which were still praiseworthy were celebrated with an ovation instead, from the Latin ovo, "I rejoice". The word's use in English to refer to sustained applause dates from at least 1831.
Gemini V Prime Crew, Astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad, receive a standing ovation during their visit to the United States House of Representatives
Lazarus receiving a standing ovation from Russell Simmons
