plɛdʒ ˌsæljuˈteɪʃən səˈl(j)uːt səˈlut səˈl(j)uːt səˈlut ˈwɑseɪl ˈwɒseɪl express commendation of I salute your courage! greet in a friendly way I meet this man every day on my way to work and he salutes me recognize with a gesture prescribed by a military regulation; assume a prescribed position When the officers show up, the soldiers have to salute honor with a military ceremony, as when honoring dead soldiers propose a toast to Let us toast the birthday girl! Let's drink to the New Year become noticeable a terrible stench saluted our nostrils an act of greeting with friendly words and gestures like bowing or lifting the hat a formal military gesture of respect an act of honor or courteous recognition a musical salute to the composer on his birthday