celebration

[ sel-uh-brey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of celebrating:

   We want to do something special in celebration of Amy’s great new job.

2. 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 Words From

• in·ter·cel·e·bra·tion noun
• non·cel·e·bra·tion noun
• pre·cel·e·bra·tion noun
• re·cel·e·bra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebration¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin celebrātiōn- (stem of celebrātiō ) “large gathering, widespread use, celebration (of a festival)”; celebrate, -ion

Example Sentences

The moment came where newly graduated cops customarily toss their white gloves into the air in celebration.

From The Daily Beast

The prison camp island nation known as Cuba erupted in celebration.

From The Daily Beast

A table creaking under the weight of a Christmas banquet, a classic celebration of binge eating and drinking.

From The Daily Beast

The resulting photographs are a celebration, bringing to life the peerless spirit embodied by The Macallan.

From The Daily Beast

In celebration of the darkest of Black Fridays, she just released a new single, “Pietà.”

From The Daily Beast

On Corpus Christi's Eve, the usual celebration greatly aggrieved the perth weekly assembly.

From Project Gutenberg

It is thought that in the celebration of worship one of these chambers was designed for men and the other for women.

From Project Gutenberg

As it happened, he was given an opportunity, when he was invited to the harvest celebration that was held each year at Silverdale.

From Project Gutenberg

Fireworks now enter into the celebration of every important event in our national, political and business life.

From Project Gutenberg

And only the supreme levity of innocence could have devised and accomplished this amazing celebration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anniversary
• bash
• birthday
• ceremony
• festival
• festivity
• gala
• jubilee
• observance
• party
• performance
• spree
• triumph