celebrate

verb cel·e·brate \ ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt \

Definition of celebrate

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

play \ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-shən\ noun

—

celebrative

play \ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tiv\ adjective

—

celebrator

play \-tər\ noun

—

celebratory

play \-brə-ˌtȯr-ē, ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-tə-rē\ adjective

See celebrate defined for English-language learners

See celebrate defined for kids

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 of celebrate from the Web

The fair’s Antique Carousel celebrates its 100th birthday this year with events including a wedding hosted by a local radio station on Sept. 11.

— madeline mckenzie, The Seattle Times, "New features add to fun at Washington State Fair in Puyallup," 30 Aug. 2017
Zod is still running Cafe Leila, a once-celebrated, but now much smaller, restaurant where Noor and her brother grew up.

— susan swagler, AL.com, "Celebrated teacher writes book sharing stories from working as a bus driver," 29 Aug. 2017
WWE Live 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Sprint Center Here’s your chance to celebrate Labor Day weekend the traditional way — with a bunch of large, sweaty men and women.

— dan kelly, kansascity, "KC events Aug. 31-Sept. 6: American Royal barbecue, Irish fest, Santa-Cali-Gon Days," 29 Aug. 2017
More: University of Louisville celebrates new $160 million Adidas contract More: Where does Louisville's new Adidas deal rank among college program sponsorships?

— steve jones, The Courier-Journal, "Big new deal latest step in long, 'arm-in-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder' partnership for Louisville, Adidas," 25 Aug. 2017
Festa Italiana in Schererville Celebrate the music, culture, food and spirit of Italy at Festa Italiana, hosted by Cesare Battisti Lodge No.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 24 Aug. 2017
The shows celebrate PGK Dance Project’s 15th anniversary season.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "PGK Dance Project to perform at Vine Theater," 24 Aug. 2017
The service Wednesday was about celebrating Maleigha's life, as well as mourning her death.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Family and friends remember 15-year-old homicide victim Maleigha Solonka Wednesday," 23 Aug. 2017
To celebrate National Honey Bee Day, Ruthig supervised students and community members planting 50 bulbs into the ground for plants that will provide food for bees and other pollinators.

— diane moca, Naperville Sun, "North Central abuzz with project to help bees," 19 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'celebrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of celebrate

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

celebrate Synonyms

Synonyms

bless, carol, praise, emblazon, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, resound

Antonyms

break, transgress, violate

Related Words

adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship; acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute; chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize; cite; flatter; crack up, recommend, tout

Near Antonyms

blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate; criticize, reprove; admonish, chide, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reproach; castigate, lambaste (or lambast)

Synonym Discussion of 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

CELEBRATE Defined for English Language Learners

celebrate

verb

Definition of celebrate for English Language Learners

: to do something special or enjoyable for an important event, occasion, holiday, etc.
: to praise (someone or something) : to say that (someone or something) is great or important
: to perform (a religious ceremony)