Celebration

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˌsɛlɪˈbɹeɪʃən/

Definitions

1. A festive gathering or event held to honor or mark a special occasion with joy and enjoyment
2. An event or gathering characterized by joyful commemoration of a notable occasion, often featuring festivities and social interaction
3. An occasion marked by happiness and social activities to honor an important event

Etymology: Latin "celebrare" meant to frequent a place, to celebrate a rite, or to make something famous through repeated performance. Its noun "celebratio" carried the sense of a crowded or solemn observance, and it passed into Old French as "celebration" before English borrowed the word. The Latin root "celeber" meant crowded or much-frequented, so the idea of a celebration began with a place full of people rather than with joy itself. The word's modern sense of festivity grew out of that crowding. A ceremony that drew many worshippers or onlookers was a celebration, and the emphasis on public observance gradually made room for the cheerful gatherings we now associate with birthdays, weddings and national holidays. The joy came later; the crowd came first. English has since reshaped the family around it. "Celebrate" is the verb built on the same Latin base, and "celebrity" entered the language from the same root, describing someone whose fame draws crowds.

Synonyms: festivity, party, observance, commemoration, gathering

Antonyms: mourning, sadness, solemnity, grief, depression