celebration
Party marking achievement
Celebration is the act of honoring or marking something with festivities, ceremonies, or special recognition.
You can hold a celebration for a birthday, wedding, or national holiday.
The word also covers the general atmosphere of joy and festivity: The whole city was in celebration.
To join the celebration is to participate in communal rejoicing.
A celebration need not be elaborate—a quiet dinner can celebrate an anniversary as well as a parade celebrates a victory.
Formal event marking occasions
- toastHeated bread; glass-raising honor
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- prayerAddress to deity
- tributeOffering of respect
procession · candle lighting · inauguration · coronation · baptism · bar mitzvah · quinceañera · dedication
Gathering for celebration
- galaFestive formal occasion
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
- fiestaFestive public celebration
gathering · banquet · soiree · reception · shindig · bash · fete · jamboree
Rhythmic bodily motion
- singingVocal music-making
- toastingBrowning by heat
- feastingEating sumptuously together
- gift-givingOffering presents to others
games · music · laughter · karaoke · speeches · storytelling · reminiscing · cheering
Air-filled rubber sacs
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- confettiThrown celebration scraps
- bannersLarge displayed cloth signs
- flowersPlant reproductive structures
candles · lights · bunting · centerpieces · garlands · ribbons · fireworks · lanterns
Intense positive emotion
- happinessJoyful emotional state
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
- exuberanceLively, unrestrained enthusiasm
glee · delight · euphoria · ecstasy · merriment · cheerfulness · exhilaration · bliss
Recurring memorial date
- birthdayAnnual date of origin
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
- weddingMarriage rite and feast
engagement · promotion · achievement · victory · accomplishment · triumph · jubilee · centenary
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
tribute · procession · candle lighting · inauguration · coronation · baptism · bar mitzvah · quinceañera · dedication · vows
party
Gathering for celebration
- galaFestive formal occasion
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
fiesta · gathering · banquet · soiree · reception · shindig · bash · fete · jamboree · ball
dancing
Rhythmic bodily motion
gift-giving · games · music · laughter · karaoke · speeches · storytelling · reminiscing · cheering · applause
balloons
Air-filled rubber sacs
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- confettiThrown celebration scraps
- bannersLarge displayed cloth signs
flowers · candles · lights · bunting · centerpieces · garlands · ribbons · fireworks · lanterns · piñata
joy
Intense positive emotion
- happinessJoyful emotional state
- elationIntense triumphant joy
- jubilationIntense, expressive happiness
exuberance · glee · delight · euphoria · ecstasy · merriment · cheerfulness · exhilaration · bliss · revelry
anniversary
Recurring memorial date
- birthdayAnnual date of origin
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- retirementLeaving the workforce permanently
wedding · engagement · promotion · achievement · victory · accomplishment · triumph · jubilee · centenary · commemoration
- celebrationsgraduation, festival, party, wedding, fireworks
- eventsevent, events, party, parties, wedding
- festivalsfestival, festivals, carnival, carnivals, Carnival
- pleasurepleasure, enjoyment, delight, gratification, contentment
- traditionstradition, custom, customs, cultural practices, rituals
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
celebrationfuneral
Service honoring the dead
mourning · wake · memorial service · lamentation · grieving
celebrationcondemnation
Severe disapproval expressed formally
reproof · denunciation · censure · shame · criticism
- touchdown celebrationsRituals after scoring points
- birthday celebrationsAnnual personal milestone events
- national celebrationCountry-wide commemorative observance
- family celebrationFestive gathering of relatives
- street celebrationPublic gathering on roads
- celebration songsMusic marking special occasions