# decoration

/ˌdɛkɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /dˌɛkəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/decoration
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. ornamental items

noun · CEFR B1

objects like lights, flowers, or paintings that you use to make a room or building look beautiful.

For teachers: physical objects used to adorn, enrich, or beautify a space or object. Often used in the plural when referring to festive items.

- We put up colorful Christmas decorations in the living room every December.
- The banquet hall was filled with elaborate floral decorations that complemented the sophisticated theme of the wedding reception.

### 2. the act of decorating

noun · CEFR B2

the process of painting, wallpapering, or adding furniture to a room to make it look better.

For teachers: the act or process of adorning or refurbishing a space. Uncountable when referring to the general activity of home improvement.

- The house is a mess right now because it is undergoing internal decoration.
- The interior decoration of the office took three months to complete, involving custom woodwork and a complete lighting overhaul.

### 3. a medal or award

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a medal or ribbon given to someone as a mark of honor for bravery or great work.

For teachers: a mark of honor, such as a medal or ribbon, bestowed for distinguished service, bravery, or achievement. Often used in military or state contexts.

- The soldier received a high decoration for his courage during the rescue mission.
- He wore his military decorations with pride during the parade, each medal representing a different campaign in which he had served.

## Examples

- We put up a colorful decoration for the party.
- The interior designer chose a minimalist decoration to make the small apartment feel more spacious and modern.
- While the structural integrity of the cathedral remained sound, the intricate stone decoration had suffered significant erosion from centuries of exposure to acidic rain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.