celebration
Americannoun
-
the act of celebrating.
We want to do something special in celebration of Amy’s great new job.
-
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
Etymology
Origin of celebration
First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin celebrātiōn- (stem of celebrātiō ) “large gathering, widespread use, celebration (of a festival)”; see celebrate, -ion
Explanation
A celebration is a joyful diversion. Your math class might have a celebration when you learn that the midterm has been postponed for a week. A celebration can be a festive party commemorating some joyous occasion, like your grandparents' fiftieth anniversary celebration or your brother's birthday celebration. It can also be a less formal marking of a happy event, like the arrival of your new puppy. Another meaning of celebration is a religious ceremony, such as communion or a bar mitzvah.
Vocabulary lists containing celebration
Party Parlance for Mardi Gras
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Passover Vocabulary
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List 4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While British officials say that the king’s visit is a celebration of trans-Atlantic ties and 250 years of U.S. independence, the monarch’s arrival is also a vital diplomatic play for Britain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
What was meant to be an evening of celebration devolved into chaos.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
“We were actually out there for Rowan’s first checkup after finishing his last round of systemic chemo,” Olson said, “so the whole trip already carried this sense of celebration and relief.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Capital Pride London's website promises "a powerful demonstration and a joyful celebration for all" and welcomes donations from members of the public.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
There would be no historical single slide across the river, no amazing story to tell, and no impromptu celebration complete with blackberry Snow Delights.
From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
