celebrate

verb

cel·​e·​brate ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt 

celebrated; celebrating

transitive verb

1

: to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites

A priest celebrates Mass.

2

a

: to honor (an occasion, such as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business

The nation celebrates Memorial Day.

b

: to mark (something, such as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine

celebrated their 25th anniversary

3

: to hold up or play up for public notice

her poetry celebrates the glory of nature

intransitive verb

1

: to observe a holiday, perform a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival

The holiday revelers celebrated all day long.

2

: to observe a notable occasion with festivities

decided the only way to celebrate was to have a party

celebration

ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

celebrative

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tiv 

adjective

celebrator

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• bless
• carol
• emblazon
• exalt
• extol
• extoll
• glorify
• hymn
• laud
• magnify
• praise
• resound

Choose the Right Synonym for celebrate

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed.

keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Examples of celebrate in a Sentence

We are celebrating my birthday by going out to dinner.

The family gathered to celebrate Christmas.

We are celebrating our anniversary next week.

They are celebrating the birth of their third child.

The book celebrates the movies of the past.

Her lecture celebrated the genius of the artist.

He is celebrated for his contributions to modern science.

A priest celebrates Mass at the church daily.

Recent Examples on the Web

Be quick to celebrate moments of achievement and display sincere concern when associates are in pain. —Chip Bell, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of Assad, gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. —Albert Aji and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024

Taylor Swift might be too busy celebrating her birthday to announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version) on December 13. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 Dec. 2024

Lighting the menorah is a quintessential part of celebrating Hanukkah, so a gorgeous menorah like this one from Amazon will always be well-received. —Cai Cramer, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celebraten, borrowed from Latin celebrātus, past participle of celebrāre "to throng, frequent, observe (an occasion, festivity), praise" (probably originally back-formation from earlier concelebrāre "to frequent, honor"), derivative of celebr-, celeber "much used, frequented, widely known, famed," probably going back to *kelesri-, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

celebrate

verb

cel·​e·​brate ˈsel-ə-ˌbrāt 

celebrated; celebrating

1

: to perform publicly and according to certain rules

celebrate Mass

2

: to observe in some special way (as by merrymaking or by staying away from work)

celebrate a birthday

celebrate Memorial Day

3

: to praise or make known publicly

her poetry celebrates the beauty of nature

celebration

ˌsel-ə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

celebrator

ˈsel-ə-ˌbrāt-ər 

noun