[ ak-luh-mey-shuh n ]
/ ˌæk ləˈmeɪ ʃən /


a loud shout or other demonstration of welcome, goodwill, or approval.
act of acclaiming.
Liturgy. a brief responsive chant in antiphonal singing.
Ecclesiastical. response(def 3a).


    by acclamation, by an oral vote, often unanimous, expressing approval by shouts, hand-clapping, etc., rather than by formal ballot.

Origin of acclamation

1535–45; < Latin acclāmātiōn- (stem of acclāmātiō) a shouting, equivalent to acclāmāt(us) (past participle of acclāmāre; see acclaim, -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms

ac·clam·a·to·ry [uh-klam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /əˈklæm əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivere·ac·cla·ma·tion, noun

Can be confused

acclamation acclimation Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for acclamatory


/ (ˌækləˈmeɪʃən) /


an enthusiastic reception or exhibition of welcome, approval, etc
an expression of approval by a meeting or gathering through shouts or applause
Canadian an instance of electing or being elected without oppositionthere were two acclamations in the 1985 election
by acclamation
  1. by an overwhelming majority without a ballot
  2. Canadian (of an election or electoral victory) without oppositionhe won by acclamation

Derived Forms

acclamatory (əˈklæmətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective