noun
Uncommon
salute
suh-LOOT
Salute (noun) means a formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead. Example: “The soldiers gave a crisp salute as the general walked past.”
noun
1
A formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead.
"The soldiers gave a crisp salute as the general walked past."
"The boy gave a playful salute to his captain before kicking off."
"Crowds lined the street, and the parade ended with a final salute."
verb
1
To greet or honour someone with a formal gesture or words of respect.
"The guard saluted the officer as he entered the base."
"We salute the bravery of everyone who took part in the rescue."
"The whole stadium stood to salute the retiring player's long career."
How to use salute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal greeting gesture, or to honour someone with one — also used more loosely to mean "praise" or "acknowledge."
Common pairings
salute the flag
military salute
salute someone's courage
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Word forms
- Plural
- salutes
- Third person singular
- salutes
- Past tense
- saluted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soldiers gave a crisp _____ as the general walked past.
Etymology
From Latin salutare, "to wish well" or "to greet," from salus, "health, safety" — the same root as "salutation" and the toast "salud."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for salute
See all rhymes for salute →Frequently asked questions
What does “salute” mean?
The word “salute” means a formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead. In plain terms, a formal greeting gesture, or to honour someone with one — also used more loosely to mean "praise" or "acknowledge.".
How do you pronounce “salute”?
“Salute” is pronounced suh-LOOT (/səˈlut/ in IPA).
How do you use “salute” in a sentence?
Here is “salute” used in a sentence: “The soldiers gave a crisp salute as the general walked past.”
What part of speech is “salute”?
Depending on how it is used, “salute” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “salute” come from?
The word “salute” comes from Latin. From Latin salutare, "to wish well" or "to greet," from salus, "health, safety" — the same root as "salutation" and the toast "salud.".
Is “salute” a common word?
“Salute” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “salute” have?
“Salute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal gesture of greeting or respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead.
What is the difference between a "salute" and a "greeting"?
A salute is a specific formal gesture of respect, such as raising a hand to the forehead, typically used in military or ceremonial settings. A greeting is broader and can include casual words or gestures like waving or saying hello, without the formality a salute implies.
Is "salute" only used for military gestures?
While "salute" is strongly associated with the military hand gesture, it can also describe honouring someone with formal words or actions in non-military contexts, such as saluting a colleague's achievement in a speech. The core sense always involves showing respect through a formal act.
Can "salute" be used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, "salute" works as a noun for the gesture itself, as in "he gave a crisp salute," and as a verb for the act of performing it, as in "the soldiers saluted their commander." Both forms centre on the same idea of a formal display of respect.
