decoration
Americannoun
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something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.
The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.
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the act of decorating.
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a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor.
a decoration for bravery.
noun
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an addition that renders something more attractive or ornate; adornment
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the act, process, or art of decorating
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a medal, badge, etc, conferred as a mark of honour
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decoration
First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin decorātiōn- (stem of decorātiō ) “an ornament”; see decorate, -ion
Explanation
A decoration is anything used to make something more attractive or festive. If you’re having a Valentine’s Day party, drape your house in red and pink decorations. Decoration is also a type of honor, like a soldier's medal or stripe. To decorate is to spiff something up, making it more colorful and attractive, like hanging streamers in a room or ornaments on a tree. Decorations are things used in this way. Many decorations are specific to holidays, like green decorations for St. Patrick's Day. Also, decorations are the honors given to people who have won or achieved something. A war hero's Purple Heart medal is a decoration. You can say that someone who has many of these honors is decorated.
Vocabulary lists containing decoration
Memorial Day Words
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"Familiar Places"
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 12–February 18, 2022
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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.
Decoration is deployed with a painter’s sense of balance rather than an aggressive urge to cover everything.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026
Originally called Decoration Day, it was created in 1868 by Union Gen. John A. Logan as a nationwide day of mourning.
From Salon • May 26, 2025
Los Angeles feminist artists such as Constance Mallinson and Merion Estes laid the roots of Pattern and Decoration, which challenged Minimalism.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2024
Standards of the Foreign Gifts and Decoration Act in effect at the time would have required Olson report any gifts over $285 and either return them or reimburse the federal government for the market value.
From BBC • Sep. 15, 2023
Some time back my sisters had made some flowers for Decoration Day.
From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls
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.
