celebratory

adjective

cel·​e·​bra·​to·​ry ˈse-lə-brə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce celebratory (audio)
ˌse-lə-ˈbrā-tə-rē
: of, relating to, expressing, or characterized by celebration
The tone of the article was celebratory.
Both band and audience seemed in celebratory moods, with massive cheers erupting when the lights went out …Emily Burnham
: used or intended for use in celebrating
We went for a celebratory drink after the game.
And you can even find meals that don't have any turkey at all; for many Westerners, Thanksgiving dinner is more about celebratory feasting than ironclad tradition, so chefs update their menus with everything from lobster with tomato-basil polenta to butternut squash lasagna.Colleen Dunn Bates
Also beginning in earnest is the crop of celebratory activities to mark the 250th anniversary of the quintessential college town.James Heflin

Examples of celebratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Guess is in a celebratory mood. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026 For all the celebratory footage of the happy couple, ending with a clever proposal, things aren’t, well, perfect. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026 These Valentine’s Day mocktails are easy to make, big on flavor, and pretty enough to feel celebratory. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026 After the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfire turned the annual event into more of a fundraising effort last year — Davis’ party was one of the few Grammy Week events that wasn’t canceled in 2025 — the 2026 edition went back to its more traditionally celebratory feel. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for celebratory

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of celebratory was in 1809

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Cite this Entry

“Celebratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebratory. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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