celebrate

celebrateverb

To celebrate is to show that a day, an event, or a person is special, usually by doing something enjoyable or in public.

1. have fundo something enjoyable, such as having a party or a special meal, because of a special day or a happy event

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + -ing form [V + -ing]

   • We celebrated her birthday at a restaurant. V + obj
   • Let's go out and celebrate!
   • They celebrated winning the game with a big dinner. V + -ing
   • How do people celebrate the new year in your country? V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun celebrate a birthday, celebrate an anniversary, celebrate a victory, celebrate the new year

   verb + preposition celebrate with a party, celebrate with friends

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Celebrate takes the event as a direct object, with no preposition: celebrate a birthday.

2. praisepraise someone or something in public, or show how good or important they are

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + as + noun or adjective [V + obj + as] formal

   • The film celebrates the lives of ordinary workers. V + obj
   • The town celebrated the firefighters as heroes. V + obj + as
   • Her paintings celebrate the beauty of the sea. V + obj

3. religious servicelead or perform a religious service

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] formalreligion

   • The priest celebrated the morning service. V + obj
   • A special service will be celebrated on Sunday. V + obj (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + noun celebrate Mass, celebrate a service, celebrate a wedding

See also congratulate (say to a person that you are happy about their success)