to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites
to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business
to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine
to hold up or play up for public notice
- Online Webster Dictionary
Origin of CELEBRATE
"Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer"
- Google, which also reports that the use of celebrate decreased in frequency since the 1800s, but has greatly increased in the last 25 years.
Origin of CELEBRATE
"Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, celebrate, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer"
- Google, which also reports that the use of celebrate decreased in frequency since the 1800s, but has greatly increased in the last 25 years.
Just thought you all would find that interesting; when we say celebrate, it means to do something with set routine, frequency, and commitment. Depending on the nature, it may be more or less formal, strict in observance, etc. In common verbage, it usually is upbeat, excited, with lots of food and/or spending. But it can also denote a more reverent tone, such as a religious commemoration or a national ceremony.
When we celebrate, we often "holiday" and seek happiness. We should also "commemorate". We should "remember".
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