# celebrate

Pronunciation: say "SEL-uh-brayt" US /ˈsɛl.ə.bɹeɪt/, AUS /ˈsel.ə.bɹæɪt/; UK say "SEL-i-brayt" /ˈsɛl.ɪ.bɹeɪt/

## Verb

1. To take part in joyful activities that show appreciation for an event.
   - Simple: To mark a happy event with fun activities like a party or a meal.
   - _When the results came in, supporters celebrated late into the night._
   - _Families across the country celebrate the new year with fireworks._
2. To honor an occasion with rites and ceremonies of joy and respect, or by setting aside ordinary business to observe it duly.
   - Simple: To honor a special day with ceremonies, or by stopping normal work to mark it.
   - _The town celebrates its founding each spring with parades and public ceremonies._
   - _Observant families celebrate the Sabbath by refraining from work._
3. To perform or take part in a sacrament or solemn rite, carrying it out with the appropriate ceremonies.
   - Simple: To carry out a religious ceremony, like a Mass, in the proper way.
   - _The priest celebrated the Eucharist before a packed congregation._
   - _Clergy celebrate the sacraments according to long-established liturgical forms._
4. To extol or honor someone or something in a solemn, dignified manner.
   - Simple: To praise someone or something in a serious, respectful way.
   - _Nations celebrate their founders in statues, anthems, and solemn speeches._
   - _The ode celebrated the memory of the fallen leader._

## Origin

From Middle English celebraten, borrowed from Latin celebrātus, the perfect passive participle of celebrō ("to frequent, honor, or praise"), which in turn comes from celeber ("frequented, populous"). It displaced the native Old English fæġnian.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/celebrate (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).