decoration

noun

dec·​o·​ra·​tion ˌde-kə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or process of decorating

2

: something that adorns, enriches, or beautifies : ornament

3

: a badge of honor (such as a U.S. military award)

Synonyms

• ornamentation
• ornament
• adornment

Examples of decoration in a Sentence

The vase has a fancy decoration on one side.

a plain sweater knit without decoration

He's a genius at home decoration.

a unique style of decoration

He received a decoration from the President.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tables were overturned, wine bottles were shattered and decorations were destroyed. —Erin Clack, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

As for what's worth having on your radar: The Home Depot's iconic Skelly Halloween decoration is back in stock and (unsurprisingly) selling fast. —Kyley Warren, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Halloween decorations are rolling out, and the holiday season—the most critical stretch of the year for countless businesses—is on the minds of decision-makers. —Don Yaeger, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Elsewhere, mountainsides are terraced like gigantic stairs by the harvesting of stone, a ceiling vent sits above a bulldozer at the top of an industrial hill like a halo, and a machine 3-D-prints out shapes with cement as though creating decorations with gray icing for an immense cake. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing decoration

• for decoration
• interior decoration

Rhymes for decoration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

decoration

noun

dec·​o·​ra·​tion ˌdek-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act or action of decorating

2

: something that decorates or beautifies : ornament

holiday decorations

3

: a badge of honor (as a medal, cross, or ribbon)