decoration

American  

[dek-uh-rey-shuhn] / ˌdɛk əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• decorations
  plural

1. something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.

   The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.

2. the act of decorating.

3. interior decoration.

4. a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor.

   a decoration for bravery.

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decoration British  

/ ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. an addition that renders something more attractive or ornate; adornment

2. the act, process, or art of decorating

3. a medal, badge, etc, conferred as a mark of honour

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondecoration
  noun
• overdecoration
  noun
• redecoration
  noun
• superdecoration
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• decorations
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decoration decorations

Now, thanks to a joint install with a friend, the light fixture hangs in the laundry area between the bedroom and bathroom, occasionally catching a cross breeze but mostly serving as decoration.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Meanwhile, the 12th-century Church of San Luca, rebuilt in the 17th century by the Spinola family, is deceptively simple on the outside, and a whirlwind of Baroque decoration on the inside.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026

The pot was compact enough to fit in a palm, with a simple rim, a smooth dull gray surface, and no decoration.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

The clause survives as decoration: incorporated, venerated, and incapable of stopping a single seizure.

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

The animals decided unanimously to create a military decoration, “Animal Hero, First Class,” which was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

In the wholesale markets of Yiwu, the Chinese city known for supplying the world with inexpensive goods, buyers can find prayer rugs, Quran stands, modest clothing, Ramadan lanterns and crescent-shaped decorations.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

A new study led by researchers at the University of Bologna suggests that the markings were far more organized than simple scratches or improvised decorations.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

In Target, she’d be queried about where to find the Christmas decorations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

He dined with his fellow jurors including Demi Moore and Chloé Zhao among the decorations of cinema memorabilia, including the boxing trunks worn by Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

That’s what everybody said as they flashed warm smiles and showed us their preowned clothing, Christmas decorations, jewelry, and whatnots.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• color
• design
• finery
• ornament
• plaque
• ribbon
• trinket
• wreath