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

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

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

Bangkok's Metropolitan Administration says it is reviewing regulations governing the materials allowed in the construction and decoration of entertainment venues and restaurants alike.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

There were also no images of Macron kneeling before the king in official photographs published by Thailand's foreign ministry of the leaders at the decoration ceremony and state dinner, an AFP review found.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Ms. Butterly accomplishes the feat of making “ceramics” become “sculpture” without the usual method of constructing giant jars with impossibly minuscule openings and jazzily geometric surface decoration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

Often used or conjured by wizards for decoration, the fairy generally inhabits woodlands or glades.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

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

The couple hosted a "Chosen Shower" with cake, decorations and balloon arch – with Varley painting a living room wall mural of "Preston Elijah", the name they chose to give him.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

And yet, every Christmas when we open up the storage tub containing decorations, we come across a plastic bag full of Forky-like holiday creations our kids made in school.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

What kind of parties, what kind of food, who did the decorations, how did the seating arrangements get settled, all that kind of thing.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

Related Words

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