celebrate

/ˌsɛləˈbreɪt/

/ˈsɛləbreɪt/

Other forms: celebrated; celebrating; celebrates

To celebrate means to mark a special day, event, or holiday. You might celebrate a birthday, a religious holiday, or even the anniversary of a famous battle.

Use celebrate for festive, happy occasions. If the special day, event, or holiday is more solemn or introspective, a verb like observe is often used. After we observe Memorial Day, we look forward to celebrating the Fourth of July. The verb can also mean to honor or praise — "The book celebrated the life of the actress who had given so much to worthy causes."

Definitions of celebrate

1. verb

   have a celebration
   “After the exam, the students were celebrating”

   synonyms: fete

   types:

   jubilate

   celebrate a jubilee

   jollify, make happy, make merry, make whoopie, racket, revel, wassail, whoop it up

   celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities

   party

   have or participate in a party

   receive

   have or give a reception

   rave

   participate in an all-night techno dance party

   carouse, riot, roister

   celebrate or enjoy something in a noisy or wild way

   type of:

   get together, meet

   get together socially or for a specific purpose
2. verb

   behave as expected during holidays or rites
   “celebrate Christmas”

   synonyms: keep, observe

   types:

   commemorate, mark

   mark by some ceremony or observation

   mourn

   observe the customs of mourning after the death of a loved one

   solemnise, solemnize

   observe or perform with dignity or gravity
3. verb

   assign great social importance to
   “The film director was celebrated all over Hollywood”

   synonyms: lionise, lionize

   type of:

   abide by, honor, honour, observe, respect

   show respect towards