1 salute | Definition of salute

salute

verb
sa·​lute | \ sÉ™-ˈlüt How to pronounce salute (audio) \
saluted; saluting

Definition of salute

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to address with expressions of kind wishes, courtesy, or honor
b : to give a sign of respect, courtesy, or goodwill to : greet
2 : to become apparent to (one of the senses)
3a : to honor (a person, a nation, an event, etc.) by a conventional military or naval ceremony
b : to show respect and recognition to (a military superior) by assuming a prescribed position
c : to express commendation of : praise

intransitive verb

: to make a salute

salute

noun

Definition of salute (Entry 2 of 2)

2a : a sign, token, or ceremony expressing goodwill, compliment, or respect the festival was a salute to the arts
b : the position (as of the hand) or the entire attitude of a person saluting a superior

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Other Words from salute

Verb

saluter noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for salute

Synonyms: Verb

acclaim, accredit, applaud, cheer, crack up, hail, laud, praise, tout

Synonyms: Noun

greeting, hello, salutation, welcome

Antonyms: Verb

knock, pan, slam

Antonyms: Noun

adieu, bon voyage, congé (also congee), farewell, Godspeed, good-bye (or good-by)

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Examples of salute in a Sentence

Verb

We salute our country's soldiers. The players saluted the fans. The president saluted her bravery.

Noun

The officers gave the general a salute. They raised their hands in salute. The concert was a salute to country music legends. Twenty-one guns were fired in salute. We raise our glasses in salute to the newlyweds.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Bird and The Bee’s enchanting new album salutes and subverts the music of Van Halen with wit and panache. San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Bird and The Bee will buzz into the Casbah," 28 Aug. 2019 This gala dinner-auction celebrates the museum’s 50th anniversary and also salutes founding members Ann Marie Mix and former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer. Catherine Bigelow, SFChronicle.com, "Fetes and art grants set the stage for upcoming SF Ballet and SF Opera galas," 27 Aug. 2019 Several members of the silver medalist Brazilian team saluted and Canada's bronze-winning team stood quietly. Eric Levenson, CNN, "American gold medalist kneels during national anthem at the Pan Am Games," 11 Aug. 2019 Military members in uniform should salute while those out of uniform may do so. chicagotribune.com, "Montana man slammed teen to ground for not taking his hat off for national anthem at rodeo, prosecutors say," 7 Aug. 2019 Members of the armed forces and veterans who aren’t in uniform also can salute. Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "Should Tim Ryan have put his hand over his heart during the national anthem?," 31 July 2019 To celebrate the milestone, the Breakthrough has scheduled multiple events — two shows saluting productions from each year of the theater’s operation, as well as a catered dinner, show and awards ceremony on July 28. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "Breakthrough Theatre defies death to celebrate 10th anniversary," 17 July 2019 In the latest manifesto, which Prince said appeared to be authentic, the El Paso suspect saluted the perpetrator of the March 2019 massacre of 49 Muslims at a New Zealand mosque. Jeff Bercovici, Los Angeles Times, "8chan, a site favored by suspected mass shooters, loses its network hosts," 5 Aug. 2019 The Sun’s front page was a somewhat creative concoction, leading with an awkward pose from Johnson who was photographed saluting and giving a kind-of-thumbs-up simultaneously. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, "‘To insanity and beyond’: Boris Johnson to become U.K.’s prime minister and the tabloids are on fire," 23 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

When the plane landed in Dallas, the airport's fire trucks greeted it with a water salute. Author: Reis Thebault, Anchorage Daily News, "Southwest Airlines flew the remains of a Vietnam airman home to Dallas. The pilot was his son.," 9 Aug. 2019 One such woman has been honored with an innovative salute in a remote corner of the Mojave Desert. Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Half a century ago, one giant leap for mankind," 20 July 2019 Cyr Wheel: Five acrobatic artists recall Mauro’s carnival life with a gyroscope salute. Rod Stafford Hagwood, sun-sentinel.com, "Cirque du Soleil brings ‘Corteo’ to BB&T Center | Video," 17 July 2019 Essence‘s co-founder Ed Lewis and Essence Communications president Michelle Ebanks, also honored the singer with a video salute and an award. Sydney Scott, Essence, "Frankie Beverly Receives Key To New Orleans At Essence Fest," 9 July 2019 The services are supported by the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veteran Program, a joint effort by Dignity Memorial funeral homes, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and veteran's groups to provide all unclaimed veterans with a final salute. Sophie Sherry And Paul Murphy, CNN, "A funeral home will provide full military burial for a Vietnam veteran who died without family," 12 June 2019 Trump Arrives at Buckingham Palace (12:15 p.m.) Trump’s state visit began with an official welcome by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at Buckingham Palace, together with a royal gun salute from nearby Green Park. Alex Morales, Bloomberg.com, "President Sees Trade Deal If U.K. Loses Shackles: Trump Update," 3 June 2019 The school hasn't said how the students in the November salute video were disciplined, citing federal law that protects student records. Jason Hanna, CNN, "California school reopens an investigation of a Nazi salute video, saying other images have emerged," 21 Aug. 2019 The reinstated salute to the Confederate president doubled as a protest to the recent Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision on school segregation. Kevin Waite, The New Republic, "California’s Forgotten Confederate History," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'salute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of salute

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for salute

Verb

Middle English, from Latin salutare, from salut-, salus health, safety, greeting, from salvus safe, healthy — more at safe

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More Definitions for salute

salute

verb