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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Celebration

Jubilee

A jubilee is a special anniversary or celebration, especially one marking a major milestone such as 25 or 50 years.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

A jubilee is a special anniversary or celebration marking a major milestone, often 25 or 50 years. The term also carries deep religious meanings in Judaism and Roman Catholicism.

What it is

In general usage, a jubilee refers to a notable anniversary or its celebration, especially for milestones like 25 years (silver jubilee) or 50 years (golden jubilee). The word comes from Hebrew *yovel* and is associated with joyful festivity.

Religious meanings

In Judaism, the Jubilee year was a fiftieth year of emancipation and restoration, involving the release of slaves and return of property. In Roman Catholicism, a jubilee is a Holy Year proclaimed by the Church, usually every 25 years, with special indulgences and spiritual significance.

Cultural usage

The term is widely used for public celebrations, including royal jubilees and institutional commemorations. In Canadian English, it appears in ceremonial contexts for major anniversaries.

In short

  • A jubilee marks a major anniversary, like 25 or 50 years.
  • In Judaism, it was a biblical fiftieth year of release and restoration.
  • In Catholicism, a jubilee is a Holy Year observed every 25 years.
  • The word originates from Hebrew *yovel*.
Canadian angle

Jubilee is used in Canadian English for major anniversaries, including royal jubilees and institutional commemorations, especially in public and ceremonial contexts.

Quick questions

What is a jubilee?
A jubilee is a special anniversary or celebration marking a major milestone, often 25 or 50 years.
What does jubilee mean in Judaism?
In Judaism, the Jubilee was a fiftieth year of emancipation and restoration, involving the release of slaves and return of property.
What does jubilee mean in the Catholic Church?
In Roman Catholicism, a jubilee is a Holy Year proclaimed by the Church, usually every 25 years, with special spiritual observances.

Sources

  1. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/philosophy-and-religion/other-religious-beliefs-and-general-terms/religion-general/jubilee
    Supports: General meaning of jubilee; Jewish jubilee; Catholic jubilee
  2. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jubilee
    Supports: Dictionary definitions, anniversary usage, biblical and Catholic meanings
  3. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/jubilee
    Supports: Anniversary usage, celebration meaning, royal jubilee usage
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_(biblical)
    Supports: Biblical Jubilee year details and fiftieth-year cycle