celebrate

verb

Etymology: From Middle English celebraten, from celebrat(e) (“celebrated”, also used as the past participle of celebraten) + -en, borrowed from Latin celebrātus, perfect passive participle of celebrō (“frequent, go to in great numbers, celebrate, honor, praise”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from celeber (“frequented, populous”). Displaced native Old English fæġnian.

1. 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.”

2. 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.”

3. 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.”

4. To perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn rite; to perform with appropriate rites.

   “to celebrate a marriage”