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 nearby celebrate
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, adjectiveWord Origin for celebrate
C15: from Latin
celebrāre, from
celeber numerous, thronged, renowned