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celebrate

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To celebrate is to engage in a joyous and often social activity or event, usually in honor of some specific event or achievement.

(verb)

An example of celebrate is when you throw a party because of a graduation.

See celebrate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb celebrated, celebrating

to perform (a ritual, ceremony, etc.) publicly and formally: solemnize
to commemorate (an anniversary, holiday, etc.) with ceremony or festivity
to honor or praise publicly
to mark (a happy occasion) by engaging in some pleasurable activity

Origin: ME celebraten < L celebratus, pp. of celebrare, to frequent, go in great numbers, honor < celeber, frequented, populous; akin to celer, swift: see hold

intransitive verb

to observe a holiday, anniversary, etc. with festivities
to perform a religious ceremony
to mark a happy occasion by engaging in some pleasurable activity

Related Forms:

celebrative adjective
celebrator noun
celebratory adjective

See celebrate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb cel·e·brat·ed, cel·e·brat·ing, cel·e·brates

verb, transitive

To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing. See Synonyms at observe.
To perform (a religious ceremony): celebrate Mass.
To extol or praise: a sonnet that celebrates love.
To make widely known; display: “a determination on the author's part to celebrate . . . the offenses of another” (William H. Pritchard).

verb, intransitive