celebrate

[ sel-uh-breyt ]

verb (used with object)

, cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

1. to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities:

   to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.

   Synonyms: solemnize, commemorate

2. to make known publicly; proclaim:

   The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.

3. to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels:

   a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.

   Synonyms: commend, applaud, acclaim, hail, glorify, laud

4. to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize:

   to celebrate a marriage.

verb (used without object)

, cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

1. to observe a day or commemorate an event with ceremonies or festivities.
2. to perform a religious ceremony, especially Mass or the Lord's Supper.
3. to have or participate in a party, drinking spree, or uninhibited good time:

   You look like you were up celebrating all night.

celebrate

/ ˈsɛlɪˌbreɪt /

verb

1. to rejoice in or have special festivities to mark (a happy day, event, etc)
2. tr to observe (a birthday, anniversary, etc)

   she celebrates her ninetieth birthday next month

3. tr to perform (a solemn or religious ceremony), esp to officiate at (Mass)
4. tr to praise publicly; proclaim

Derived Forms

• ˈceleˌbrator, noun
• ˈcelebrative, adjective
• ˈceleˌbratory, adjective
• ˌceleˈbration, noun

Other Words From

• cel·e·bra·tive adjective
• cel·e·bra·tor cel·e·brat·er noun
• cel·e·bra·to·ry [sel, -, uh, -br, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• pre·cel·e·brate verb precelebrated precelebrating
• re·cel·e·brate verb recelebrated recelebrating
• un·cel·e·brat·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebrate¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin celebrātus, past participle of celebrāre “to solemnize, celebrate, honor,” equivalent to celebr- (stem of celeber ) “often repeated, famous” + -ātus past participle suffix; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebrate¹

C15: from Latin celebrāre, from celeber numerous, thronged, renowned

Example Sentences

On Sunday, hundreds of Syrians in Manchester celebrated Assad's demise by singing, dancing and crying in the city centre, while dozens of people also gathered in Belfast to celebrate the end of his regime.

From BBC

Syrians were seen celebrating throughout the city of Damascus on Saturday as news spread that President Bashar al-Assad had fled the country.

From Salon

Mahama's supporters have taken to the streets to celebrate around the country.

From BBC

This new picture will be celebrated in Israel where Iran is viewed as an existential threat.

From BBC

He said that Syrians feel fear and worry about the future, but "today, all the Syrian people will only celebrate."

From BBC

Related Words

• honor
• laud
• observe
• perform
• praise
• proclaim
• revere