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

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

Rashad was there to celebrate the release of the Civil Rights drama Selma.

From The Daily Beast

That would truly be a milestone to celebrate—until you see what that record “diversity” actually means.

From The Daily Beast

How do you celebrate when happy occasions are colored by loss and absence?

From The Daily Beast

He was told he could go back home to his house arrest to celebrate the New Year with his wife and their two children.

From The Daily Beast

To celebrate the year, here are the top 10 anti-science salvos of 2014.

From The Daily Beast

They were just about to celebrate tabagie, or a solemn feast, over his last farewell.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, these are only a few intimate friends who have assembled to celebrate my daughter's fte-day.

From Project Gutenberg

All were there to celebrate the birth of the New Year, and to "play the game," however chastened they might feel on the morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.

From Project Gutenberg

Couldn't you smoke it now, and then we'd go out next week and celebrate your recovery.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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