-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

38 / 371

noun

celebration

sel-ih-BRAY-shun/ˌselɪˈbreɪʃn/

An observance honoring a significant occasion.

Friends gather around the candlelit cake for a joyful birthday celebration.

A joyful birthday celebration around a cake with unnumbered candles, friends of varied ages laugh together, no lettering or balloons text.

Etymology

celebratLatinassemble to honor

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

Latin celebrare connected honoring something with assembling in large numbers. Celebration carries that public, festive image into the sense of an event or act that honors something with joy.

In context

National Geographic1:40

it is a celebration of Valor and Artistry in the face of danger it's a family event young and old come to watch their Heroes some will cheer for their favorite bull fighter

Bullfighting | National Geographic

More examples

Her graduation celebration brings the whole family together.
The painting is a celebration of everyday life.
The chapel hosts a weekly celebration of the Eucharist.

Forms

celebration · celebrations

Similar words

festival: Usually a public gathering with multiple activities.
ceremony: A formal observance that need not be joyful.