cel ‧ e ‧ bra ‧ tion S3 /ˌseləˈbreɪʃ ə n, ˌselɪˈbreɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ celebration , ↑ celebrity ; adjective : ↑ celebrated , ↑ celebratory ; verb : ↑ celebrate ]
1 . [countable] an occasion or party when you celebrate something:
the lively New Year celebrations in the city centre
2 . [singular, uncountable] the act of celebrating
in celebration of something
a reception in celebration of the Fund’s 70th Anniversary
The show is a celebration of new young talent.
I think this is a cause for celebration (=reason to celebrate) .
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + celebration
▪ a big/small celebration
We’re having a small celebration for Dad’s birthday.
▪ a family celebration (=for family members)
Everyone’s coming here for a family celebration.
▪ a special celebration
There’s a special celebration tonight to mark the school’s 50th anniversary.
▪ a double celebration (=for two good things)
It’s a double celebration for our first wedding anniversary and my birthday.
▪ a birthday/anniversary celebration
He is planning a very special 40th birthday celebration.
|
It was the college’s 150th anniversary celebration last night.
▪ a victory celebration
Some football fans were arrested during the victory celebrations.
▪ Christmas/New Year celebrations
They invited me to join in their Christmas celebrations.
▪ wedding celebrations
The wedding celebrations can last for a week or more.
▪ centenary celebrations (=celebrating 100 years after a special event)
A special committee was formed to organize the centenary celebrations.
▪ a national celebration
The flag flies for a national celebration.
■ verbs
▪ have a celebration
The villagers were having a celebration of some kind.
▪ hold/host a celebration formal
The company is holding a celebration for its 75th anniversary.
▪ join in the celebrations
You’re welcome to come and join in the celebrations!
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ party a social event when a lot of people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating, drinking, dancing etc:
We’re having a party for Sarah’s 40th birthday.
|
I met my boyfriend at a party.
▪ get-together an informal party:
Christmas is the perfect time for a family get-together.
▪ ball a large formal party where people dance:
the end of term ball
▪ rave a large party which is held outside or in an empty building, where people dance to music and take illegal drugs
▪ reception a large formal party, especially one after a wedding or to welcome an important person:
The wedding reception is at a nearby hotel.
|
a reception for the Thai Foreign Minister
|
They attended a White House reception to mark the Queen’s visit.
▪ function a large formal or official party:
He has been asked to play at many corporate functions (=an official party held by a company) .
▪ celebration a party or special event that is organized in order to celebrate something:
the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations
|
It was a 21st birthday celebration which Mary would never forget.
▪ bash informal a party, especially a big one that a lot of famous people go to – used especially in journalism:
the star’s birthday bash
|
a picture of him at a Hollywood bash
|
a showbiz bash
▪ do British English informal a party:
We’re having a do to celebrate Margaret’s birthday.
▪ dinner party a party where people are invited to someone’s house for an evening meal:
I met him at a dinner party.
▪ house-warming (party) a party that you have when you move into a new house:
We’re having a house-warming next week.
▪ cocktail party ( also drinks party British English ) a party that people go to in order to talk and have a drink together for a few hours
▪ fancy-dress party British English , costume party American English a party where people dress in special clothes, for example to look like a famous person or a character in a story
▪ hen party especially British English a social event just before a wedding, for a woman who is getting married and her female friends
▪ stag night British English , bachelor party American English a social event just before a wedding, for a man who is getting married and his male friends
▪ baby/wedding shower American English an event at which people give presents to a woman who is going to have a baby or get married