celebration
Americannoun
-
the act of celebrating.
We want to do something special in celebration of Amy’s great new job.
-
a party or other festive event for celebrating something.
Don’t you think the birthday celebrations for preschoolers in this neighborhood are a bit over the top?
Other Word Forms
- intercelebration noun
- noncelebration noun
- precelebration noun
- recelebration noun
Etymology
Origin of celebration
First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin celebrātiōn- (stem of celebrātiō ) “large gathering, widespread use, celebration (of a festival)”; see celebrate, -ion
Explanation
A celebration is a joyful diversion. Your math class might have a celebration when you learn that the midterm has been postponed for a week. A celebration can be a festive party commemorating some joyous occasion, like your grandparents' fiftieth anniversary celebration or your brother's birthday celebration. It can also be a less formal marking of a happy event, like the arrival of your new puppy. Another meaning of celebration is a religious ceremony, such as communion or a bar mitzvah.
Vocabulary lists containing celebration
Party Parlance for Mardi Gras
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Passover Vocabulary
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List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The comedian’s show this weekend at the Ace also doubles as a special celebration of the release of her new album ‘Drawn’ from her HBO special of the same name.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Capital Pride London's website promises "a powerful demonstration and a joyful celebration for all" and welcomes donations from members of the public.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
At the time, Fatone was married to Kelly Baldwin, with whom he shares two children—and the two had invited several members of his extended family over for a celebration.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026
Trump announced a cease-fire extension with Iran too late to impact regular trading hours on Tuesday, so the market celebration spilled over into today.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Even the nocturnal creatures crawled out from their burrows, into daylight, to join the celebration.
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
