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Webster 1913 Edition

Celebrate

Cel′e-brate

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Celebrated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Celebrating
.]
[L.
celebratus
, p. p. of
celebrare
to frequent, to celebrate, fr.
celeber
famous.]
1.
To extol or honor in a solemn manner;
as, to
celebrate
the name of the Most High
.
2.
To honor by solemn rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly; to keep;
as, to
celebrate
a birthday
.
From even unto even shall ye
celebrate
your Sabbath.
Lev. xxiii. 32.
Syn. – To commemorate; distinguish; honor.
– To
Celebrate
,
Commemorate
. We commemorate events which we desire to keep in remembrance, when we recall them by some special observace; as, to commemorate the death of our Savior. We celebrate by demonstrations of joy or solemnity or by appropriate ceremonies; as, to celebrate the birthday of our Independence.
We are called upon to
commemorate
a revolution as surprising in its manner as happy in its consequences.
Atterbury.
Earth, water, air, and fire, with feeling glee,
Exult to
celebrate
thy festival.
Thomson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Celebrate

CELEBRATE

, v.t.
1.
To praise; to extol; to commend; to give to; to make famous; as, to celebrate the name of the Most High.
The grave cannot celebrate thee. Is. 38.
2.
To distinguish by solemn rites; to keep holy.
From even to even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath. Lev. 23.
3.
To honor or distinguish by ceremonies and marks of joy and respect; as, to celebrate the birth day of Washington; to celebrate a marriage.
4.
To mention in a solemn manner, whether of joy or sorrow.

Definition 2024

celebrate

celebrate

English

Verb

celebrate ‎(third-person singular simple present celebrates, present participle celebrating, simple past and past participle celebrated)

  1. (transitive) To extol or honour in a solemn manner.
    to celebrate the name of the Most High
  2. (transitive) To honour by rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly; to keep.
    to celebrate a birthday
    • 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict:
      Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.
  3. (intransitive) To engage in joyful activity in appreciation of an event.
    I was promoted today at work—let’s celebrate!
    • 2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
      As Di Matteo celebrated and captain John Terry raised the trophy for the fourth time, the Italian increased his claims to become the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas by landing a trophy.
  4. (transitive) To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to solemnize; to perform with appropriate rites.
    to celebrate a marriage

Usage notes

In sense “to conduct ceremonies, to follow a custom”, generally used of festive occasions, such as Christmas and birthdays. For more solemn occasions, particularly certain religious holidays (“holy days”) and commemorations, the term observe is used instead, as in “This office will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.”

Synonyms

  • (extol, honour (someone)): fete

Related terms

Translations

Esperanto

Adverb

celebrate

  1. present adverbial passive participle of celebri

Italian

Verb

celebrate

  1. second-person plural indicative present of celebrare
  2. second-person plural imperative of celebrare

Anagrams

Latin

Verb

celebrāte

  1. first-person plural present active imperative of celebrō

Etymology

From Latin celebratus, past pariticiple of celebrō ‎(“frequent, go to in great numbers, celebrate, honor, praise”), from celeber ‎(“frequented, populous”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsɛl.ɪ.bɹeɪt/, /ˈsɛl.ə.bɹeɪt/

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