acclamation

IPA/ˌækləˈmeɪʃn/
KK[ˌækləmˈeʃən]IPA/ˌækləˈmeɪʃn/

acclamation — noun

1. the strong, positive reaction of a group of people who show their approval by ch

1.nounC1
Definition

the strong, positive reaction of a group of people who show their approval by cheering or clapping loudly.

Example

The new principal received a warm acclamation from students and teachers on her first day.

collocation: receive acclamation

Mei-Lin's piano performance drew enthusiastic acclamation from the entire concert hall.

collocation: draw acclamation

Common collocations
  • receive acclamation
  • draw acclamation
  • meet with acclamation
  • earn the acclamation of
  • wild acclamation
  • enthusiastic acclamation
  • by acclamation
  • with acclamation
Synonyms
  • acclaim

    more often used for critical or formal recognition (e.g. 'critical acclaim'), while acclamation suggests a crowd's loud, vocal approval

  • applause

    refers specifically to clapping; acclamation is broader and includes cheers, shouts, and other vocal expressions

  • ovation

    a sustained standing applause, usually at the end of a performance; more specific than acclamation

  • praise

    the broadest term, can be private or public, spoken or written; acclamation is always public and vocal

Antonyms
  • booing

    a loud expression of disapproval from a group, the opposite of enthusiastic acclamation

  • silence

    the absence of any vocal reaction, contrasting with the loud nature of acclamation

Grammar Patterns

acclamation + of + noun

by acclamation

with acclamation

Usage Note

Frequently appears in the phrases 'by acclamation' and 'with acclamation'. Typically used in formal reports or written descriptions of public events where a crowd expresses strong, vocal approval.

Common Mistakes

The movie received widespread acclimation from critics.
The movie received widespread acclamation from critics.
Acclimation means adapting to a new climate or environment; acclamation means enthusiastic praise.
The singer won acclaim from the audience by clapping.
The singer won acclamation from the audience, who cheered loudly.
Acclaim is usually critical or professional recognition; acclamation specifically involves loud, vocal approval from a crowd.

2. a voting method in which people elect a person or approve a proposal by calling

2.nounC1
Definition

a voting method in which people elect a person or approve a proposal by calling out or shouting their agreement, instead of casting a secret written ballot.

Example

The committee chair was elected by acclamation after no other candidates came forward.

passive: elected by acclamation

At the town meeting, the new treasurer was chosen by acclamation as everyone shouted 'aye'.

Common collocations
  • elected by acclamation
  • chosen by acclamation
  • voted by acclamation
  • passed by acclamation
  • approve by acclamation
Synonyms
  • voice vote

    a direct synonym; 'acclamation' is the more formal term

  • unanimous vote

    similar but not identical — acclamation does not require literal unanimity, only that no opposition is voiced

Antonyms
  • secret ballot

    a voting method where choices are private, the opposite of the open, vocal nature of acclamation

  • roll-call vote

    a vote where each person's choice is recorded individually, contrasting with the collective shout of acclamation

Grammar Patterns

by acclamation

elect/choose/pass by acclamation

Usage Note

Common in parliamentary or organisational meeting contexts. The phrase 'by acclamation' is fixed — no articles or modifiers are inserted (not 'by an acclamation').

Common Mistakes

The president was elected by acclamation using secret ballots.
The president was elected by acclamation, meaning the voters shouted their choice out loud.
A vote by acclamation is the opposite of a secret-ballot vote; it is open and vocal.
The committee passed the motion by an acclamation.
The committee passed the motion by acclamation.
The phrase 'by acclamation' uses no article.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Acclamation, acclaim, applause, praise, and ovation all express approval, but they differ in form and setting. Acclamation suggests a loud, collective show of support from a crowd — cheering, shouting, or clapping — rather than individual or written praise. Acclaim is more formal and often refers to critical or professional recognition (e.g. 'critical acclaim' for a film or book). Applause specifically means clapping and can be individual or group-based. Praise is the broadest term, covering any spoken or written expression of approval, from a teacher's comment to religious worship. Ovation refers to a sustained standing applause, typically after a performance. For example: 'The mayor's speech drew acclamation' suggests cheers and shouts from the crowd, whereas 'The mayor's speech drew applause' could simply mean clapping.

acclaim ↗applause ↗praise ↗ovation ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • by acclamation
  • with acclamation

Prepositions

  • by (by acclamation)
  • with (with acclamation)
  • of (the acclamation of the crowd)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Acclamation comes from the Latin word acclamatio, meaning 'a shout of approval'. The Latin verb acclamare means 'to shout at' or 'to shout approval' — formed from ad- ('to, at') and clamare ('to shout, cry out'). The word entered English through French in the 16th century, first used for any loud public shout, and later specialised to the two modern senses of enthusiastic crowd approval and vocal voting.