celebrate

[ sel-uh-breyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

1. to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:

   to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.

   Synonyms: solemnize, commemorate

2. to make known publicly; proclaim:

   The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.

3. to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels:

   a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.

   Synonyms: commend, applaud, acclaim, hail, glorify, laud

4. to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize:

   to celebrate a marriage.

verb (used without object)

, cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

1. to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.
2. to perform a religious ceremony, especially Mass or the Lord's Supper.
3. to have or participate in a party, drinking spree, or uninhibited good time:

   You look like you were up celebrating all night.

celebrate

/ ˈsɛlɪˌbreɪt /

verb

1. to rejoice in or have special festivities to mark (a happy day, event, etc)
2. tr to observe (a birthday, anniversary, etc)

   she celebrates her ninetieth birthday next month

3. tr to perform (a solemn or religious ceremony), esp to officiate at (Mass)
4. tr to praise publicly; proclaim

Derived Forms

• ˈceleˌbrator, noun
• ˈcelebrative, adjective
• ˈceleˌbratory, adjective
• ˌceleˈbration, noun

Other Words From

• cel·e·bra·tive adjective
• cel·e·bra·tor cel·e·brat·er noun
• cel·e·bra·to·ry [sel, -, uh, -br, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• pre·cel·e·brate verb precelebrated precelebrating
• re·cel·e·brate verb recelebrated recelebrating
• un·cel·e·brat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebrate¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin celebrātus, past participle of celebrāre “to solemnize, celebrate, honor,” equivalent to celebr- (stem of celeber ) “often repeated, famous” + -ātus past participle suffix; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebrate¹

C15: from Latin celebrāre, from celeber numerous, thronged, renowned

Example Sentences

They even celebrated missed first serves by the Dutch in a football-style atmosphere.

From BBC

Reproductive rights groups sounded the alarm that Oz, who celebrated the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

But in 1946 future Australian captain Lindsay Hassett brought an Australian Services team to India to celebrate the Allies’ victory in World War Two.

From BBC

I am now starting to think about how to celebrate my 50th birthday in 2026 - 15 months from now.

From BBC

The team also experienced an economic windfall this season, thanks to the staggering revenue boosts that came with Ohtani’s celebrated arrival and the club’s first full-season World Series title since 1988.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• honor
• laud
• observe
• perform
• praise
• proclaim
• revere