celebration

[sel-uh-brey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of celebrating.

   We want to do something special in celebration of Amy’s great new job.

2. a party or other festive event for celebrating something.

   Don’t you think the birthday celebrations for preschoolers in this neighborhood are a bit over the top?

Other Word Forms

• intercelebration noun
• noncelebration noun
• precelebration noun
• recelebration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of celebration¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin celebrātiōn- (stem of celebrātiō ) “large gathering, widespread use, celebration (of a festival)”; celebrate, -ion

Related Words

• anniversary 
• bash 
• birthday 
• ceremony 
• festival 
• festivity 
• gala 
• jubilee 
• observance 
• party 
• performance 
• spree 
• triumph