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celebration (n.)

1520s, "honoring of a day or season by appropriate festivities," formed in English from celebrate, or else from Latin celebrationem (nominative celebratio) "numerous attendance" (especially upon a festival celebration), noun of action from past-participle stem of celebrare. Meaning "performance of a religious ceremony" (especially the Eucharist) is from 1570s; that of "extolling in speeches, etc." is from 1670s.

Entries related to celebration

celebrate (v.)

mid-15c., "to perform publicly with appropriate rites," originally of the Mass, from Latin celebratus "much-frequented; kept solemn; famous," past participle of celebrare "assemble to honor," also "to publish; sing praises of; practice often," originally "to frequent in great numbers," from celeber "frequented, populous, crowded;" with transferred senses of "well-attended; famous; often-repeated." Its etymology is unknown.

General sense of "commemorate or honor with demonstrations of joy" is from 1550s; formerly it also could be with demonstrations of sorrow or regret. Meaning "make widely known, praise, glorify" is from 1610s. Related: Celebrated; celebrating.

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Definitions of celebration from WordNet

celebration (n.)
a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event;
Synonyms: jubilation
celebration (n.)
any joyous diversion;
Synonyms: festivity
celebration (n.)
the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual;
the celebration of marriage
Synonyms: solemnization / solemnisation
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near celebration

celeb

Celebes

celebrant

celebrate

celebrated

celebration

celebratory

celebrity

celerity

celery

Celeste

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