decoration

American  

[dek-uh-ray-shuhn] / ˌdɛk əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• decorations
  plural

1. something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.

   The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.

2. the act of decorating.

3. interior decoration.

4. a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor.

   a decoration for bravery.

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decoration British  

/ ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. an addition that renders something more attractive or ornate; adornment

2. the act, process, or art of decorating

3. a medal, badge, etc, conferred as a mark of honour

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondecoration
  noun
• overdecoration
  noun
• redecoration
  noun
• superdecoration
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• decorations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of decoration

First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin decorātiōn- (stem of decorātiō ) “an ornament”; see decorate, -ion

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Explanation

A decoration is anything used to make something more attractive or festive. If you’re having a Valentine’s Day party, drape your house in red and pink decorations. Decoration is also a type of honor, like a soldier's medal or stripe. To decorate is to spiff something up, making it more colorful and attractive, like hanging streamers in a room or ornaments on a tree. Decorations are things used in this way. Many decorations are specific to holidays, like green decorations for St. Patrick's Day. Also, decorations are the honors given to people who have won or achieved something. A war hero's Purple Heart medal is a decoration. You can say that someone who has many of these honors is decorated.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decoration decorations

Both authors are most persuasive when they treat smell as embodied knowledge rather than decoration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

The sequel is flat and digital, loaded with garish CGI and set decoration that often mistakes boho chic for cottagecore.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

Flooding can lead to immediate, extensive damage such as moisture-activated growth of salt crystals, loss of painted decoration and, potentially, structural collapse.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026

Now, thanks to a joint install with a friend, the light fixture hangs in the laundry area between the bedroom and bathroom, occasionally catching a cross breeze but mostly serving as decoration.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

And even though he bought a used acoustic guitar last year, it’s more for decoration and to act cool while strumming a chord than anything else.

From "Amina's Voice" by Hena Khan

Colourful patterns known as rangoli are created at entrances to homes, while markets bustle with shoppers buying festive essentials beneath brightly lit decorations.

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

“Through a magnifying glass, the decorations revealed a hidden world,” Bardo observes of a piece of gold-encrusted jewelry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

Florida real-estate executive Laurie Reader, on her second Hallmark cruise with her mom and sister, estimates she spent about $1,500 on matching holiday pajamas, outfits, accessories and cabin decorations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

Giant skeletons: Home Depot’s 12-foot-tall skeletons are some of the most coveted—and noticeable—Halloween decorations around.

From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2026

An uncle donated his old jeep to the festival, and today we’ll find decorations to make it shine.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

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Related Words

• color
• design
• finery
• ornament
• plaque
• ribbon
• trinket
• wreath

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