What does "celebration" mean?

The formal performance of a solemn rite, such as Christian sacrament.

How do you pronounce "celebration"?

Pronounced //ˌsɛl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən//.

Common synonyms include: festivity, agape, anniversary, asperges, aspersion, auricular confession.

//ˌsɛl.ɪˈbɹeɪ.ʃən// noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
The formal performance of a solemn rite, such as Christian sacrament. countable, uncountable
"We will attend the Christmas celebration in church."
2
any joyous diversion wordnet
3
The observance of a holiday or feast day, as by solemnities. countable, uncountable
"In a Chinese New Year video message posted on her Facebook page yesterday, President Halimah Yacob said the fact that the celebrations here also commonly embrace those of other races is "true to the Singapore spirit"."
4
the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual wordnet
5
The act, process of showing appreciation, gratitude and/or remembrance, notably as a social event. countable, uncountable
"She jumped in the air in celebration."

Show 2 more definitions

6
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event wordnet
7
A social gathering for entertainment and fun; a party. countable, uncountable
"We are having a celebration at McDonald's for my dad's new job."

"Mr Philips, along with some friends and neighbors, is planning a celebration."

From Old French celebration, from Latin celebratio. Equivalent to celebrate + -ion.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.