decoration
Americannoun
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decorations
plural
-
something used for decorating; adornment; embellishment.
The gymnasium was adorned with posters and crepe-paper decorations for the dance.
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the act of decorating.
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a badge, medal, etc., conferred and worn as a mark of honor.
a decoration for bravery.
noun
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an addition that renders something more attractive or ornate; adornment
-
the act, process, or art of decorating
-
a medal, badge, etc, conferred as a mark of honour
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of decoration
First recorded in 1575–85; from Late Latin decorātiōn- (stem of decorātiō ) “an ornament”; see decorate, -ion
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.
Vocabulary lists containing decoration
Memorial Day Words
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"Familiar Places"
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 12–February 18, 2022
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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.
See Examples For:
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the crew with the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest unit-level military decoration awarded by the United States.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 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
Based on a first analysis of the painted decoration inside the tomb, we identified its main owner as a male official named Paser.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
Meanwhile, the 12th-century Church of San Luca, rebuilt in the 17th century by the Spinola family, is deceptively simple on the outside, and a whirlwind of Baroque decoration on the inside.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
It’s a real sword, not a decoration like the major used back at Rose Hill.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Avoid any activities that may create a spark, secure those outdoor holiday decorations, and stay hydrated!
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
Some of the pieces carried decorations that looked strikingly similar to pottery found hundreds of miles farther north.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 6, 2026
Photos taken at Kris’ annual holiday parties often featured the sweeping staircases, which were decked out in extravagant decorations, with multiple Christmas trees scattered throughout the grand entryway.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
Chinese products heading to American stores ranging from toys to small household appliances to Christmas decorations will benefit from the lower tariffs.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
That’s what everybody said as they flashed warm smiles and showed us their preowned clothing, Christmas decorations, jewelry, and whatnots.
From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
