decoration

[ dek-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment:

   The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.

2. the act of decorating.
3. interior decoration.
4. a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor:

   a decoration for bravery.

decoration

/ ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. an addition that renders something more attractive or ornate; adornment
2. the act, process, or art of decorating
3. a medal, badge, etc, conferred as a mark of honour

Other Words From

• nondec·o·ration noun
• over·deco·ration noun
• redec·o·ration noun
• super·deco·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decoration¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin decorātiōn- (stem of decorātiō ) “an ornament”; decorate, -ion

Example Sentences

She ordered her usual half a bitter and settled in by a large wagon wheel wall decoration, chatting to friends while she waited for him to appear.

From BBC

HuntingCrossbows replied to our query about the legality of the weapon it sold us and other knives for sale on its website by saying "these are cosplay or display knives for decoration use only".

From BBC

Remembering that pumpkins had millennia of history as a food before they were a decoration is one step on the way.

From Salon

They are essential to ecosystems, and we use them for everything from seeds to oil to pollen to decoration.

From Los Angeles Times

I love chairs as a functional piece of furniture but also as decoration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• color
• design
• finery
• ornament
• plaque
• ribbon
• trinket
• wreath