celebrate

verb

cel·​e·​brate ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce celebrate (audio)
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 noun
celebrative adjective
celebrator noun
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 The two recently celebrated their romance during a Valentine's Day getaway to Jamaica. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Tuesday, March 26 Trivia Night: Women’s History Month at the National Portrait Gallery The National Portrait Gallery celebrates Women’s History Month with a free trivia night in its beautiful Kogod Courtyard, which happens to be timed for happy hour. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 The shop celebrates the family’s Jamaican roots, with its walls brightly colored and peppered with pictures of the loving family. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 In Christianity, Easter is celebrated as the resurrection of Christ according to the Bible. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024 March in Washington: A year after celebrating the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the annual March for Life gathered in the nation’s capital in a very different political climate. Kellen Browning, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Here's how to celebrate the day in metro Phoenix How to visit Barrio Cafe one last time Barrio Cafe will remain open for regular service through May 31. The Arizona Republic, 20 Mar. 2024 Consider this your little guide to facts about the holiday and how to celebrate with your little ones. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 In France, many were unaware of the calendar change and continued to celebrate the new year during the last week of March through April 1. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'celebrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of celebrate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near celebrate

Cite this Entry

“Celebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebrate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

celebrate

verb
cel·​e·​brate ˈsel-ə-ˌbrāt How to pronounce celebrate (audio)
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 noun
celebrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on celebrate

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