jubilation

noun

ju·​bi·​la·​tion ˌjü-bə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act of rejoicing : the state of being jubilant

The news was greeted with jubilation.

2

: an expression of great joy

The jubilations of the garrison were short-lived.

—C. R. Low

Examples of jubilation in a Sentence

the jubilation of the crowd

Recent Examples on the Web

On opening night, their jubilation is interrupted by the arrival of a sinister threat, leading to a bloody brawl under the pale moon. —Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026

After initial jubilation, some Iranian Americans fear that their native country could descend into chaos, as Iraq did after the 2003 American invasion. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026

Zamani said that even amid the jubilation, fear hangs over the diaspora. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Mar. 2026

However, analysts warned that jubilation does not equal transformation. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English jubilacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French jubilaciun, borrowed from Latin jūbilātiōn-, jūbilātiō "wild shouting, whooping" (Late Latin, "joyous songs of praise"), from jūbilāre "to let out whoops" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at jubilant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for jubilation

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

Kids Definition

jubilation

noun

ju·​bi·​la·​tion ˌjü-bə-ˈlā-shən 

: an act of rejoicing : the state of being jubilant