Pronunciation: ' se-l ə - ˌ br ā t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -brat · ed ; -brat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites < celebrate the mass>
2 a : to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business b : to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine
3 : to hold up or play up for public notice <her poetry celebrate s the glory of nature>
intransitive verb
1 : to observe a holiday, perform a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival
2 : to observe a notable occasion with festivities
synonyms see KEEP
– cel · e · bra · tion \ ˌ se-l ə - ' br ā -sh ə n \ noun
– cel · e · bra · tive \ ' se-l ə - ˌ br ā -tiv \ adjective
– cel · e · bra · tor \ -t ə r \ noun
– cel · e · bra · to · ry \ -br ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē , ˌ se-l ə - ' br ā -t ə -r ē \ adjective