celebrate

verb

SaySEL-uh-brayt/ˈsɛl.ə.bɹeɪt/AUS/ˈsel.ə.bɹæɪt/UKSEL-i-brayt/ˈsɛl.ɪ.bɹeɪt/

Formscelebrates, celebrating, celebrated

4 meanings of celebrate

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To mark a happy event with fun activities like a party or a meal.
Like throwing a party when something good happens.
After the win, the whole team went out to celebrate.
They celebrated her birthday with a big dinner.
Similarparty, rejoice, revel, mark
Oppositemourn
Note
2
verbtransitive
To honor a special day with ceremonies, or by stopping normal work to mark it.
Like marking a holiday with a special ceremony.
Many communities celebrate the harvest with feasts and music.
They celebrated the anniversary by closing the shop for the day.
Similarobserve, keep
Note
3
verbtransitive
To carry out a religious ceremony, like a Mass, in the proper way.
Like leading a special church service step by step.
Catholic priests celebrate Mass daily in churches around the world.
The bishop celebrated the sacrament of confirmation last Sunday.
Similarsolemnize, perform
Note
4
verbtransitive
To praise someone or something in a serious, respectful way.
Like writing a song to honor a great hero.
The poem celebrates the courage of ordinary soldiers.
People still celebrate the heroes of that long struggle.
Similarhonour, fete
Oppositedisparage
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin celebrō, meaning to honor or praise, from celeber meaning crowded or populous. It came into English through Middle English.