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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web For many who celebrate Christmas, the morning begins with a check to see if Santa stopped by. 
Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Evan Mock, Alton Mason and Taylor Hill host an intimate dinner to celebrate AG's fall 2022 campaign in N.Y.C.'s SoHo neighborhood on Sept. 7. People Staff, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 This was a 96-year-old woman who lived a full and purposeful life and lived long enough to see the world celebrate her historical Platinum Jubilee. Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 To celebrate the release, John Legend took Glamour for a walk down memory lane, exploring the songs and stories, old and new, that led him here. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 In February of this year, the Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Alzheimer’s San Diego has moved to a new home and to celebrate, the nonprofit held an ice cream social and grand opening Thursday during the annual San Diego Gives fundraising event. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Frontier is offering promotional airfares to celebrate the new routes, but the fares are different for the general public and members of the airline's Discount Den, a premium service that offers exclusive low fares and promotions. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 As far as how Harding Middle School will celebrate its prestigious designation, Niemantsverdriet said a committee comprised of staff members is working on scheduling something special. John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 Evan Mock, Alton Mason and Taylor Hill host an intimate dinner to celebrate AG's fall 2022 campaign in N.Y.C.'s SoHo neighborhood on Sept. 7. People Staff, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 This was a 96-year-old woman who lived a full and purposeful life and lived long enough to see the world celebrate her historical Platinum Jubilee. Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 9 Sep. 2022 To celebrate the release, John Legend took Glamour for a walk down memory lane, exploring the songs and stories, old and new, that led him here. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2022 In February of this year, the Queen became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Alzheimer’s San Diego has moved to a new home and to celebrate, the nonprofit held an ice cream social and grand opening Thursday during the annual San Diego Gives fundraising event. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2022 Frontier is offering promotional airfares to celebrate the new routes, but the fares are different for the general public and members of the airline's Discount Den, a premium service that offers exclusive low fares and promotions. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 As far as how Harding Middle School will celebrate its prestigious designation, Niemantsverdriet said a committee comprised of staff members is working on scheduling something special. John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 See More 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 ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt
celebrated; celebrating
1
: to observe (a holiday or important occasion) in some special way
2
: to perform (a religious ceremony)
3
: praise entry 1 sense 1
We should celebrate the freedoms we have.
celebrating
verb
1
as in praising
to proclaim the glory of a personal essay that celebrates the single life Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- praising
- blessing
- extolling
- lauding
- hymning
- saluting
- worshipping
- applauding
- worshiping
- exalting
- cheering
- emblazoning
- glorifying
- hailing
- commending
- resounding
- complimenting
- chanting
- carolling
- caroling
- eulogizing
- magnifying
- acclaiming
- citing
- idolizing
- rhapsodizing
- belauding
- deifying
- adoring
- recommending
- touting
- renowning
- flattering
- cracking up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- blaming
- criticizing
- censuring
- admonishing
- reprehending
- chiding
- rebuking
- castigating
- reproving
- reprimanding
- reprobating
- lambasting
- reproaching
- keelhauling
2
as in commemorating
to mark with an appropriate practice, rite, or ceremony a mixed family that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish religious holidays Synonyms & Similar Words
- commemorating
- observing
- keeping
- remembering
- blessing
- honoring
- praising
- lauding
- feting
- solemnizing
- memorializing
- sanctifying
- consecrating
- fêting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- violating
- breaking
- ignoring
- forgetting
- disregarding
- overlooking
- neglecting
- transgressing
- blowing off