clap

clap

I

clap¹ /klæp/ verb (past tense and past participle clapped, present participle clapping)1. [intransitive and transitive] to hit your hands against each other many times to make a sound that shows your approval, agreement, or enjoyment ⇨ applause:
    One man began to clap, and others joined in.
    The couple were cheered and clapped on their arrival.
    The audience clapped politely but without much enthusiasm.
2. [transitive] if you clap your hands, you hit your hands together a few times to attract someone’s attention or to show that you are pleased:
    Narouz clapped his hands and a servant entered.
    Mandy laughed and clapped her hands in delight.
3. [transitive] to put your hand on something quickly and firmly:
    ‘Mick!’ She clapped her hand over her mouth. ‘I’d forgotten!’
    Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder.
4. clap eyes on somebody/something British English informal to see someone or something, especially when you did not expect to:
    Mark had loved the house from the moment he clapped eyes on it.
5. clap somebody in prison/jail/irons literary to suddenly put someone in prison or chains
—clapping noun [uncountable]:
    Each song was greeted with enthusiastic clapping.

II

clap² noun1. [singular] the loud sound that you make when you hit your hands together many times to show that you enjoyed something
    give somebody a clap British English:
    Come on everyone, let’s give Tommy a clap.
2. [singular] a sudden loud noise:
    an ear-splitting clap of thunder
3. the clap informal gonorrhea