1. a person hired to applaud at a performance
Usage: from French; theatrical term

Examples

• The opera house employed several claqueurs to ensure enthusiastic applause.
• Critics suspected that claqueurs were responsible for the standing ovation.
• In 19th-century Paris, claqueurs were a common sight at theatrical performances.
• The director hired claqueurs to boost audience response on opening night.
• Some theaters banned claqueurs to maintain authentic audience reactions.
• The claqueur led the applause at precisely the right moments.