noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
applause; clapping
General clapping of hands, especially as applause or to show approval. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to applaud'.
観客は大きな拍手を送った。
The audience gave a big round of applause.
演奏が終わると、みんなが拍手
When the performance ended, everyone clapped.
noun
ritual clapping (at a shrine)
Specifically the two or four claps performed when praying at a Shinto shrine. Compare 柏手 (かしわで), which is the more formal term for this ritual clapping.
See also: 柏手
神社では二礼二拍手一礼が基本です。
At a shrine, the basic etiquette is two bows, two claps, and one bow.