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

Soon, he was celebrating with friends at Nowadays, a Bushwick dance club hosting an election watch party.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Why would I ever celebrate a holiday that brought death and destruction to our native brothers and sisters? Get the f**k up out my face!”

Read more on Salon

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was also quick to celebrate Mamdani's victory and did not hesitate to encourage comparisons with himself, saying he would adopt the "the same relentless focus on inequality".

Read more on BBC

The new mayor is also being celebrated elsewhere in the continent.

Read more on BBC

The Moroccan fossil site where these discoveries were made is celebrated for capturing behavior frozen in time.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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