[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

celebrate \cel"ebrate\, v. t. imp.  p. p. celebrated; p.
   pr.  vb. n. celebrating. l. celebratus, p. p. of
   celebrare to frequent, to celebrate, fr. celeber famous.
   1. to extol or honor in a solemn manner; as, to celebrate the
      name of the most high.
      1913 webster

   2. to honor by solemn rites, by ceremonies of joy and
      respect, or by refraining from ordinary business; to
      observe duly; to keep; as, to celebrate a birthday.
      1913 webster

            from even unto even shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
                                                  --lev. xxiii.
                                                  32.
      1913 webster

   3. to perform or participate in, as a sacrament or solemn
      rite; to solemnize; to perform with appropriate rites; as,
      to celebrate a marriage.

   syn: to commemorate; distinguish; honor.

   usage: to celebrate, commemorate. we commemorate events
          which we desire to keep in remembrance, when we recall
          them by some special observace; as, to commemorate the
          death of our savior. we celebrate by demonstrations of
          joy or solemnity or by appropriate ceremonies; as, to
          celebrate the birthday of our independence.
          1913 webster

                we are called upon to commemorate a revolution
                as surprising in its manner as happy in its
                consequences.                     --atterbury.
          1913 webster

                earth, water, air, and fire, with feeling glee,
                exult to celebrate thy festival.  --thomson.
          1913 webster
see also:
celebrated celebrating celebrate commemorate 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

celebrated \cel"ebra`ted\, a.
   having celebrity; distinguished; renowned.
   1913 webster

         celebrated for the politeness of his manners.
                                                  --macaulay.

   syn: distinguished; famous; noted; famed; renowned;
        illustrious. see distinguished.
        1913 webster
see also:
distinguished 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

celebrated
     adj 1: widely known and esteemed; "a famous actor"; "a celebrated
            musician"; "a famed scientist"; "an illustrious
            judge"; "a notable historian"; "a renowned painter"
            syn: famed, far-famed, famous, illustrious, notable,
             noted, renowned
     2: having an illustrious past syn: historied, storied
see also:
famed far-famed famous illustrious notable noted 
renowned historied storied 

[4] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

44 moby thesaurus words for "celebrated":
   acclaimed, conspicuous, distinguished, eminent, esteemed,
   estimable, exceptional, extraordinary, fabled, famed, famous,
   far-famed, far-heard, great, honored, illustrious, legendary,
   marked, memorable, much acclaimed, mythical, noble, notable, noted,
   noteworthy, notorious, of mark, of note, outstanding, popular,
   prestigious, prominent, rare, remarkable, rememberable, renowned,
   reputable, special, striking, talked-about, talked-of, telling,
   unforgettable, well-known

Celebrated >> C Words
Celebrated, definition of term: Celebrated
celebrated_pag1.html