celebrate

[sel-uh-breyt]

verb (used with object)

celebrated, celebrating 

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)

celebrated, celebrating 

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

Other Word Forms

• celebrative adjective
• celebrator noun
• celebrater noun
• celebratory adjective
• precelebrate verb
• recelebrate verb
• uncelebrating adjective
• celebration noun

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

"If England aren't celebrating in his first 40 runs, it's going to be a long series."

Read more on BBC

Movies can become forever memorable through the magic of a singular image, that celebrated “one perfect shot” that illuminates everything before and after it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Disney, which owns its own television network, always sets itself a place — or two —at this cross-promotional table, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I just walked down the wicket to celebrate," says Agar.

Read more on BBC

In Colombia, a 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia was celebrated after the rebel group had terrorized the country for decades, with kidnappings, extortion and attacks on small towns.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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