CELEBRATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does celebration mean? 

• CELEBRATION (noun)
  The noun CELEBRATION has 3 senses:

1. a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event

2. any joyous diversion

3. the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual

  Familiarity information: CELEBRATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CELEBRATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

celebration; jubilation

Hypernyms ("celebration" is a kind of...):

affair; function; occasion; social function; social occasion (a vaguely specified social event)

Derivation:

celebrate (have a celebration)

celebrate (behave as expected during of holidays or rites)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any joyous diversion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

celebration; festivity

Hypernyms ("celebration" is a kind of...):

diversion; recreation (an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "celebration"):

agon (a festivity in ancient Greece at which competitors contended for prizes)

conviviality; jollification; merrymaking (a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity)

feria ((in Spanish speaking regions) a local festival or fair, usually in honor of some patron saint)

festival; fete (an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place))

blowout; gala; gala affair; jamboree (a gay festivity)

Ludi Saeculares; secular games (the centennial rites and games of ancient Rome that marked the commencement of a new generation (100 years representing the longest life in a generation); observances may have begun as early as the 5th century BC and lasted well into the Christian era)

victory celebration (a celebration following a victory in a battle or sports competition)

Derivation:

celebrate (have a celebration)

celebrate (behave as expected during of holidays or rites)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

celebration; solemnisation; solemnization

Context example:

the celebration of marriage

Hypernyms ("celebration" is a kind of...):

ritual (the prescribed procedure for conducting religious ceremonies)

Derivation:

celebrate (behave as expected during of holidays or rites)

 Context examples 

Your mother or father may need your assistance, or it may be that a member of your family welcomes a baby that brings everyone together in a joyful celebration.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Such words had their due effect; she immediately thought the evening pleasanter than she had found it before—her humble vanity was contented—she felt more obliged to the two young men for this simple praise than a true-quality heroine would have been for fifteen sonnets in celebration of her charms, and went to her chair in good humour with everybody, and perfectly satisfied with her share of public attention.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Their favour increased; they could not be spared; Sir John would not hear of their going; and in spite of their numerous and long arranged engagements in Exeter, in spite of the absolute necessity of returning to fulfill them immediately, which was in full force at the end of every week, they were prevailed on to stay nearly two months at the park, and to assist in the due celebration of that festival which requires a more than ordinary share of private balls and large dinners to proclaim its importance.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

You may also start polishing silver and rinsing crystal for the year-end celebrations.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It may be a wedding, celebration, industry event, or even a fashion show, and it seems to be in a city that you will travel to, but it’s not far from home.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Pisces lights your twelfth house of privacy, so if you’d rather create your celebration at home, that would be a perfect idea.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Or you may take a trip to attend a friend’s celebration, such as a beautiful wedding or birthday party.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)