decoration

American  

[dek-uh-ray-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

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Etymology

Origin of decoration

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin decorātiōn- (stem of decorātiō ) “an ornament”; see decorate, -ion

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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 sequel is flat and digital, loaded with garish CGI and set decoration that often mistakes boho chic for cottagecore.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

Flooding can lead to immediate, extensive damage such as moisture-activated growth of salt crystals, loss of painted decoration and, potentially, structural collapse.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

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

So in this clumsy way, my mother found out that Wu Tsing had taken his fourth concubine, who was actually just an afterthought, a foolish bit of decoration for his new motorcar.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

He held multiple military decorations and was in 2022 named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

For nearly 40 years, Culver City’s Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch has been a go-to destination for snaring those essential Halloween decorations all while exploring an artisanally crafted pumpkin village.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

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

It seems as though everyone has come to the capital to see the decorations at the palace.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

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Related Words

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

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