Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - celebrate

 verb  (-brated; -brating)  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin celebratus, past participle of celebrare to frequent, ~, from celebr-, celeber much frequented, famous; perhaps akin to Latin celer  Date: 15th century  transitive verb  1. to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites ~ the mass  2.  a. to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business  b. to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine  3. to hold up or play up for public notice her poetry ~s the glory of nature  intransitive verb  1. to observe a holiday, perform a religious ceremony, or take part in a festival  2. to observe a notable occasion with festivities  Synonyms: see keep  • celebration noun  • celebrative adjective  • celebrator noun  • celebratory adjective