salute

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 to touch the side of your head with the fingers of your right hand to show respect, especially in the armed forces: [V] The sergeant stood to attention and saluted. * [VN] to salute the flag / an officer 2 [VN] (formal) to express respect and admiration for sb/sth: The players saluted the fans before leaving the field. * The president saluted the courage and self-sacrifice of those who fought for their country. noun 1 [C] the action of raising your right hand to the side of your head as a sign of respect, especially between soldiers and officers: He returned the salute as he passed the line of guards. 2 [C,U] a thing that you say or do to show your admiration or respect for sb/sth or to welcome sb: He raised his hat as a friendly salute. * His first words were a salute to the people of South Africa. * They all raised their glasses in salute. * The occasion was organized as a salute to a century of change. 3 [C] an official occasion when guns are fired into the air to show respect for an important person: a 21-gun salute IDIOMS take the salute when an officer or important person takes the salute, soldiers march past him or her saluting and the officer salutes back