memorial

1 of 2

adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl 

1

: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative

2

: of or relating to memory

memorially

mə-ˈmȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as

a

: monument

b

: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates

c

: keepsake, memento

2

a

: record, memoir

language and literature … the memorials of another age

—J. H. Fisher

b

: memorandum, note

specifically : a legal abstract

c

: a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance

Synonyms

Adjective

• commemorating
• commemorative
• honorary
• memorializing

Noun

• commemorative
• keepsake
• memento
• monument
• remembrance
• reminder
• souvenir
• token

Examples of memorial in a Sentence

Adjective

a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty

Noun

the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dignitaries from more than 30 countries attended a memorial service honoring the WCK victims in Washington, D.C. on April 25. —Sean Gregory, TIME, 30 May 2024

During his memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Ionescu — then a college basketball star — spoke about Kobe and Gianna's impact on her. —Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024

Noun

Biden propped flowers against the memorial and had a brief conversation with the former politician, thanking her for contributing to his success. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

California Suspect in clubbing of two women near Venice canals arrested in San Diego April 12, 2024 Alden was declared brain-dead May 20 and removed from life support four days later, after her organs were donated, according to a GoFundMe page set up for her memorial. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin memorialis, from memoria memory

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing memorial

• memorial park

Kids Definition

memorial

1 of 2 adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmōr-ē-əl 

-ˈmȯr-

: serving to preserve the memory of a person or an event

a memorial service

memorially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

memorial

2 of 2 noun

: something that keeps alive the memory of a person or event

especially : monument sense 1