Main Entry: cel·e·brate

Pronunciation: \ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): cel·e·brat·ed; cel·e·brat·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites
2 a : to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business b : to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine
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
2 : to observe a notable occasion with festivities

synonyms see keep

— cel·e·bra·tion \ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-shən\ noun

— cel·e·bra·tive \ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tiv\ adjective

— cel·e·bra·tor \-tər\ noun

— cel·e·bra·to·ry \-brə-ˌtȯr-ē, ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-tə-rē\ adjective