celebrate

Verb

celebrate (third-person singular simple present celebrates, present participle celebrating, simple past and past participle celebrated)

1. (transitive) To extol or honour in a solemn manner.
   • to celebrate the name of the Most High
   • To celebrate the centenary next month of the opening of the first section (Forest Gate to Tilbury) of the former London, Tilbury & Southend Railway, the Stephenson Locomotive Society is organising a special rail tour over that route and other lesser-known L.T.S.R. lines.1954 March, “Notes and News: S.L.S. Tour of Tilbury Lines”, in Railway Magazine, page 215

   Synonyms:

   fete

2. (transitive) To honour by rites, by ceremonies of joy and respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to observe duly.
   • to celebrate a birthday
   • Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   observe, keep

3. (intransitive, transitive) To engage in joyful activity in appreciation of an event.
   • I was promoted today at work—let’s celebrate!
   • As Di Matteo celebrated and captain John Terry raised the trophy for the fourth time, the Italian increased his claims to become the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas by landing a trophy.2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2022
4. (transitive) To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to perform with appropriate rites.
   • to celebrate a marriage

   Synonyms:

   solemnize