celebration
celebration
Pronunciation
/ˌsel.əˈbreɪ.ʃən/
First Syllable: /ˌsel/
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative (like the "s" in "sit")
/e/: near-open front unrounded vowel (like the "e" in "bed")
/l/: alveolar lateral approximant (like the "l" in "light")
Second Syllable: /ə/
/ə/: schwa, a mid-central vowel (like the "a" in "about" or "sofa")
Third Syllable: /ˈbreɪ/
/b/: voiced bilabial stop (like the "b" in "bat")
/r/: alveolar approximant (like the "r" in "red")
/eɪ/: diphthong, a glide from /e/ to /ɪ/ (like the "ay" in "day")
Fourth Syllable: /ʃən/
/ʃ/: voiceless postalveolar fricative (like the "sh" in "she")
/ən/: syllabic nasal (the "un" sound at the end of words like "button," where the "n" forms its own syllable)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: celebration (e.g., "We had a small celebration for her birthday.")
Plural: celebrations (e.g., "The town is known for its elaborate holiday celebrations.")
Verb:
Infinitive: to celebrate (e.g., "They plan to celebrate their anniversary next month.")
Present Tense:
I/you/we/they celebrate
he/she/it celebrates
Past Tense: celebrated (e.g., "We celebrated all night.")
Present Participle: celebrating (e.g., "They are celebrating their victory.")
Past Participle: celebrated (e.g., "Having celebrated for hours, they were tired.")
Adjective:
celebrated (meaning famous or highly praised, e.g., "He is a celebrated artist.")
celebratory (meaning related to a celebration, e.g., "They raised their glasses in a celebratory toast.")
Adverb:
celebratorily (meaning in a celebratory manner, though less common, e.g., "She danced celebratorily after winning.")
celebratedly (meaning in a celebrated way; famously, though less common and sometimes considered archaic.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. The act or instance of performing a special event or activity to mark a significant occasion, achievement, or happy occurrence.
Synonyms: festivity, commemoration, ceremony, observance, party, gala, jubilee
Antonyms: mourning, lamentation, somberness, solemnity
2. A specific event, gathering, or period of time dedicated to marking such an occasion.
Synonyms: festival, party, function, gathering, event, bash (informal), hoedown (informal)
Antonyms: funeral, wake, vigil, period of mourning
3. Public or widespread recognition, acclaim, or honoring of an individual, achievement, or concept.
Synonyms: commendation, praise, glorification, honoring, tribute, veneration, applause
Antonyms: condemnation, denigration, disparagement, criticism, vilification
Verb (to celebrate)
1. To observe a special day or event with festivities or ceremonies.
Synonyms: commemorate, observe, solemnize, honor, keep, mark
Antonyms: ignore, disregard, forget, overlook, neglect
2. To express joy, pride, or approval for an achievement or happy occasion.
Synonyms: rejoice, revel, exult, cheer, acclaim, laud, extol, praise
Antonyms: mourn, grieve, lament, commiserate, bemoan
3. To publicly acknowledge or honor a person, accomplishment, or idea.
Synonyms: commend, praise, glorify, venerate, lionize, eulogize, fete
Antonyms: condemn, criticize, disparage, denounce, deprecate
Adjective
1. Celebrated (Past Participle used as an Adjective): Widely known, recognized, and highly esteemed for excellence or achievement; famous.
Synonyms: renowned, eminent, distinguished, famous, acclaimed, legendary, illustrious
Antonyms: unknown, obscure, unnoticed, unremarkable, forgotten, unheralded
2. Celebratory: Of or relating to a celebration; expressing joy or triumph.
Synonyms: festive, joyous, triumphant, jubilant, merry, gleeful, gala
Antonyms: somber, mournful, sad, solemn, melancholic, gloomy
Adverb
1. Celebratorily: In a manner befitting a celebration; with joy and festivity.
Synonyms: festively, joyously, triumphantly, jubilantly, merrily, gleefully
Antonyms: mournfully, sadly, solemnly, gloomily, woefully
2. Celebratedly (Less Common): In a famous or renowned manner; notably.
Synonyms: famously, notably, prominently, remarkably, illustriously
Antonyms: obscurely, unremarkably, unknownly, unnotably
Examples of Use
Real-World Examples of "Celebration"
Books:
"It was a day of general celebration when the news of the armistice finally reached the small town, with bells ringing and people dancing in the streets." (Implied from historical fiction, e.g., similar to accounts in All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, though this is an original example)
"The annual harvest festival was a celebration of community spirit and agricultural bounty, bringing together families from across the valley." (Fictional example typical of pastoral or community-focused narratives)
Newspapers:
"Nairobians thronged Uhuru Park yesterday for a vibrant celebration of Madaraka Day, featuring cultural performances and speeches by dignitaries." (The Daily Nation)
"The city's sports fans erupted in celebration as the national football team clinched the championship title in a thrilling match." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"From intimate gatherings to grand spectacles, finding the perfect venue is key to any successful celebration." (Blog post title on event planning website, e.g., Eventbrite Blog)
"Our latest article delves into the unique cultural celebrations found in remote villages across East Africa." (Travel blog, e.g., Safari Adventures Magazine Online)
"Why are we so quick to shame success rather than engage in its celebration?" (Opinion piece on Medium.com, e.g., "The Culture of Critique vs. The Joy of Success," by a thought leader)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The grand ball in the film serves as a pivotal celebration of the kingdom's newfound peace after years of conflict." (Description of a scene in a fantasy film, e.g., similar to Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
Television Series: "This episode is a celebration of everything that makes our city great – its diverse people, its vibrant art scene, and its resilient spirit." (Dialogue from a documentary series about urban life, e.g., Our City, Our Story on Netflix)
Music: "This song is a celebration of life's simple joys and the enduring power of love." (Artist's description of their new single on Spotify or Apple Music)
Video Games: "Completing this challenging quest unlocks a special in-game celebration event, rewarding players with exclusive items and achievements." (In-game notification or description in an RPG, e.g., World of Warcraft or Destiny 2)
Social Media: "What a celebration of talent at the #Oscars2025 last night! So many deserving winners." (Tweet on X/Twitter, user @FilmFanatic123, February 24, 2025 - Example is speculative, based on typical post-awards show discourse)
"Join us live on TikTok for a celebration of our 10,000-follower milestone! Q&A and giveaways!" (TikTok Live event announcement from a content creator, current)
General Public Discourse:
"We had a little family celebration over the weekend for my niece's graduation." (Casual conversation between friends)
"The whole community came out for the celebration of the new community center's opening." (Statement by a local resident in an interview or town hall meeting)
"It's a celebration of African innovation and entrepreneurship at this year's tech summit." (Speech delivered at a business conference in Nairobi)
10 Famous Quotes Using Celebration
"A man is a celebration of his mother's love and his father's dreams." (Maya Angelou)
"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." (Oprah Winfrey)
"Art is a celebration of life, a celebration of what it means to be human." (Frank Stella)
"Every new day is a chance to celebrate life. Let's make the most of it." (Unknown)
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" This often leads to a celebration of shared experience. (C.S. Lewis - Metaphorical extension, as the quote itself doesn't use "celebration" but describes a moment that leads to one)
"Life is a celebration of challenges and triumphs." (Unknown)
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." And often, it's a celebration of self. (Ralph Waldo Emerson - Metaphorical extension)
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Its successful application is a cause for great celebration. (Nelson Mandela - Metaphorical extension)
"This is not a time for ease and comfort. It is a time for daring and endurance." And when the enduring is over, it will be a time for celebration. (Winston Churchill - Metaphorical extension)
"The annual community picnic is always a grand celebration of our shared heritage." (Original Quote)
Etymology
The word "celebration" has a fascinating journey from ancient Latin to modern English.
It ultimately comes from the Latin verb "celebrare". This Latin word had a few key meanings that have influenced our understanding of "celebration" today:
"To frequent in great numbers": Imagine a place that was "celebrare" – it was a place where many people gathered often. This suggests a sense of public gathering and importance.
"To assemble to honor": This is where the idea of marking an occasion or person with respect and special attention comes in. If people gathered, it was often for a purpose of honoring something or someone.
"To publish; to sing praises of; to practice often": These meanings tie into the idea of making something known publicly and praising it, or repeatedly performing a ritual or custom.
From "celebrare," we get the Latin noun "celebratio," which meant "numerous attendance" or specifically, a "festival celebration."
The English word "celebration" (the noun) appeared in the 1520s. Its first known meaning in English was "the honoring of a day or season by appropriate festivities." So, right from the start, it was about marking special times with joyful activities.
Over time, the meaning expanded. By the 1570s, it also referred to the "performance of a religious ceremony" (like celebrating Mass). Later, around the 1670s, it gained the sense of "extolling in speeches, etc." – meaning to praise something widely.
So, in simple terms, "celebration" started as a word describing a public gathering for an important or honorable purpose, often involving repeated customs or praise, and has carried those core ideas of public acknowledgment, joy, and special observance into its modern usage.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Celebration
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "celebration" and related concepts:
In celebration of: (Common) Used to indicate the reason for a celebration.
Example: "The concert was held in celebration of the band's 20th anniversary."
A cause for celebration: (Common) Something that warrants a celebration.
Example: "Getting that contract signed was definitely a cause for celebration."
To join in the celebration: (Common) To participate in a celebratory event.
Example: "Everyone was invited to join in the celebration after the graduation ceremony."
To mark a celebration: (Lesser-known/Original) To formally acknowledge or observe an occasion with a celebration.
Example: "The town council decided to mark a celebration of its founding with a public holiday."
A quiet celebration: (Common) A small, intimate celebration.
Example: "After the long journey, they opted for a quiet celebration at home."
A grand celebration: (Common) A large, elaborate celebration.
Example: "The wedding was a grand celebration with hundreds of guests and live music."
To usher in a celebration: (Lesser-known/Original) To initiate or begin a celebration.
Example: "The fireworks were meant to usher in a celebration of the new year."
To be in full celebration mode: (Original/Informal) To be fully immersed in the spirit and activities of a celebration.
Example: "Once the music started, everyone was in full celebration mode."
A feast of joy (idiom with synonym): An occasion marked by great happiness and abundance, similar to a celebration.
Example: "The family reunion was a feast of joy for all who attended."
To paint the town red (idiom, sometimes implies celebration): To go out and enjoy oneself boisterously, often in celebration.
Example: "After passing their exams, they decided to paint the town red."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of celebration from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
