What does jubilee mean?
A jubilee is a specially celebrated anniversary, such as a silver, golden, or diamond jubilee. Unlike an ordinary anniversary, which may be noted with little more than a greeting, a jubilee commonly involves public ceremonies, entertainments, commemorations, or other festivities. The term also has an important religious and historical meaning: in the biblical tradition, a jubilee was a recurring year in which debts were forgiven, property was restored, and people who had been enslaved were released. In modern public life, the word is especially associated with royal anniversaries and major organizational milestones, but it can be used for any occasion marked by a notable length of service or achievement. Its associations with celebration, longevity, civic pride, and release from obligation make it a word that carries a sense of occasion and formal recognition.
nounA special anniversary celebration, especially one marking a notable period such as 25, 40, 50, or 60 years. In biblical usage, it refers to a year of release and restoration, including the forgiveness of debts and the return of property.
- A particularly significant anniversary or anniversary celebration.
- A period of public celebration marking such an anniversary.
- In biblical and religious contexts, a year of release and restoration observed at regular intervals.
"The company celebrated its golden jubilee with a reception for former employees."
"The monarch's diamond jubilee marked sixty years on the throne."
"The community organized a jubilee to celebrate the restoration of the historic building."
The plural is used for separate jubilee celebrations or anniversary occasions.
"The museum has hosted several jubilees celebrating major anniversaries in its history."
A jubilee began as a year of release: debts were forgiven, property restored, and enslaved people set free.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jubilee come from?
The word comes through Old French jubilé from Latin iubilaeum, meaning a year of jubilee or a time of festive celebration. Latin iubilaeum was borrowed from Hebrew yōvēl, a term associated with the ram's horn and the proclamation of release. The English word developed from the biblical sense into the modern sense of a major anniversary celebration. Its connection with the Latin root of joy is reflected in related words such as jubilant and jubilate.
Related word forms
How jubilee is actually used
The word often has a formal, celebratory tone and is commonly used in relation to royal, institutional, or organizational anniversaries. In religious or historical writing, it may specifically evoke the biblical year of release.
Easily confused with jubilee
An anniversary is the annual return of the date on which an event occurred, whereas a jubilee is a particularly significant anniversary celebrated with special ceremonies or festivities.