celebrate

[ sel-uh-breyt ]
/ ˈsɛl əˌbreɪt /

verb (used with object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities: to celebrate Christmas; to celebrate the success of a new play.
to make known publicly; proclaim: The newspaper celebrated the end of the war in red headlines.
to praise widely or to present to widespread and favorable public notice, as through newspapers or novels: a novel celebrating the joys of marriage; the countryside celebrated in the novels of Hardy.
to perform with appropriate rites and ceremonies; solemnize: to celebrate a marriage.

verb (used without object), cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing.

Origin of celebrate

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin celebrātus past participle of celebrāre to solemnize, celebrate, honor, equivalent to celebr- (stem of celeber) often repeated, famous + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM celebrate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH celebrate

celebrate celibate cerebrate

Example sentences from the Web for celebratory

British Dictionary definitions for celebratory

celebrate
/ (ˈsɛlɪˌbreɪt) /

verb

to rejoice in or have special festivities to mark (a happy day, event, etc)
(tr) to observe (a birthday, anniversary, etc) she celebrates her ninetieth birthday next month
(tr) to perform (a solemn or religious ceremony), esp to officiate at (Mass)
(tr) to praise publicly; proclaim

Derived forms of celebrate

celebration, noun celebrative, adjective celebrator, noun celebratory, adjective

Word Origin for celebrate

C15: from Latin celebrāre, from celeber numerous, thronged, renowned