celebrate

verb

cel·​e·​brate ˈse-lə-ˌbrāt 

celebrated; celebrating

transitive verb

1

a

: to recognize a notable event (such as a birthday or anniversary) by doing something special or enjoyable

celebrate a victory

celebrated her achievement

celebrated their 25th anniversary by going out to dinner

b

: to honor (an occasion, as a holiday) especially with ceremonies or by stopping ordinary business

The nation celebrates Memorial Day.

If you celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanza, designate one night to share the light.

—Carrie Knowles

2

: to say or show publicly that (someone or something) is great or important

a poem that celebrates the glory of nature

She is celebrated for her contributions to modern science.

Other elements of the culture, from spiritual practices to natural crafts, maintain and celebrate ties to west Africa.

—Dasia Moore

3

somewhat formal : to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites

A priest celebrates Mass.

intransitive verb

1

: to recognize a notable event by doing something special or enjoyable

decided the only way to celebrate was to have a party

… but they have more reasons to fear than to celebrate.

—Fortune

Spring is here, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a leisurely brunch.

—Lane S. Crowther

2

: to observe a holiday, perform a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival

The holiday revelers celebrated all day long.

celebration

ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

celebrative

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tiv 

adjective

celebrator

ˈse-lə-ˌbrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of celebrate

• praise
• bless

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

Grant was compelled to celebrate the nation’s hundredth anniversary just as its boldest experiment in democracy to date was being dismantled. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

Since then, Texans have celebrated Cinco de Mayo along with residents of Puebla, Mexico, mainly by toasting Zaragoza with margarita specials and tacos galore. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 May 2026

Butler, a Howard University cum laude alum, is credited with creating a new genre of quilting using photographs and sketches that celebrate Black life in life-size stunning portraits. —Sandra Guzman, USA Today, 4 May 2026

The vandalism occurred just hours before community members were set to begin celebrating the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which kicks off at sunset Monday, Abraham Pinkhasov, a supervisor at Queens Shmira, told the Daily News. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026

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

Rhymes for celebrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

celebrate

verb

cel·​e·​brate ˈsel-ə-ˌbrāt 

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

ˌsel-ə-ˈbrā-shən 

noun

celebrator

ˈsel-ə-ˌbrāt-ər 

noun