Noun

1. The act of striking the palms of the hands, or any two surfaces, together.

   He summoned the waiter with a clap.

2. Any loud, sudden, explosive sound made by striking hard surfaces together, or resembling such a sound.

   She shut her diary with a loud clap.

   Off in the distance, he heard the clap of thunder.

3. A slap with the hand, usually in a jovial manner.

   His father's affection never went further than a handshake or a clap on the shoulder.

4. (always as “the clap”) Gonorrhea.

   He wasn't careful; he caught both syphilis and the clap.

5. (Yorkshire dialect) A dropping of cow dung (presumably from the sound made as it hits the ground)
   • 1890, John Nicholson, Folk Lore of East Yorkshire, page 139

   “Oh ! get some coo clap (cow dung), mix it wi’ fish oil (whale oil), put it on, and let it stop on all neet.”

Verb

1. To strike the palms of the hands together, creating a sharp sound.

   The children began to clap in time with the music.

2. To applaud.

   The audience loudly clapped the actress, who responded with a deep curtsey.

   It isn’t the singers they are clapping, it's the composer.

3. To slap with the hand in a jovial manner.

   He would often clap his teammates on the back for encouragement.

4. To bring two surfaces together forcefully, creating a sharp sound.

   He clapped the empty glass down on the table.

   She clapped the book shut.

   He clapped across the floor in his boots.

5. To create or assemble (something) hastily (usually followed by up or together).

   We should clap together a shelter before nightfall.

   The rival factions clapped up a truce.

6. To set or put, usually in haste.

   The sheriff clapped him in jail.

   She was the prettiest thing I'd ever clapped eyes on, she was.