English Reference
noun

decoration

n.
US /ˌdɛkɝˈeɪʃən/ UK /dˌɛkəɹˈeɪʃən/ dec·o·ra·tion UK spelling decorations

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

    We put up colorful Christmas decorations in the living room every December.

    In context

    The banquet hall was filled with elaborate floral decorations that complemented the sophisticated theme of the wedding reception.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Simple

    The house is a mess right now because it is undergoing internal decoration.

    In context

    The interior decoration of the office took three months to complete, involving custom woodwork and a complete lighting overhaul.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

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

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

    Simple

    The soldier received a high decoration for his courage during the rescue mission.

    In context

    He wore his military decorations with pride during the parade, each medal representing a different campaign in which he had served.

For both Avicenna and Salam, vivid language wasn’t decoration bolted on to the science after the fact; it was part of how the ideas were thought through, and how they were made to stick.

Aeon· 11 Sept 2026

Based on a first analysis of the painted decoration inside the tomb, we identified its main owner as a male official named Paser.

ScienceDaily· 10 Sept 2026

From Latin decoratio: compare French décoration. Morphologically decorate + -ion.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin decoratio
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated