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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There remains some debate over whether the attack led by John Mason, a Connecticut Colony founder honored with a statue in a niche on the Capitol, can be celebrated as Pequot War victory or a criminal massacre of women and children. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025 The true marker of a parent is acting silly just so your kids can get a good chuckle and Savannah caught Michael in action, in this cute pic posted to celebrate Father's Day. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025 Great American Media has unveiled its lineup to celebrate Easter just over a month away. Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Mar. 2025 Having grown up in the city, Jones knows what that achievement would mean to the supporters who were denied the chance to properly celebrate the 2019-20 title due to Covid-19 restrictions. James Pearce, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for celebrate

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

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Cite this Entry

“Celebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebrate. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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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