commemorate

verb

com·​mem·​o·​rate kə-ˈme-mə-ˌrāt 

commemorated; commemorating

transitive verb

1

: to call to remembrance

St. Andrew is commemorated on November 30.

2

: to mark by some ceremony or observation : observe

commemorate an anniversary

3

: to serve as a memorial of

a plaque that commemorates the battle

commemorator

kə-ˈme-mə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Did you know?

When you remember something, you are mindful of it. It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning "mindful." English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.

Synonyms

• memorialize
• monumentalize

Choose the Right Synonym for commemorate

keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed.

keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating.

kept the Sabbath by refraining from work

observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

not all holidays are observed nationally

celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.

traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner

commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.

commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths

Examples of commemorate in a Sentence

The festival commemorates the town's founding.

The plaque commemorates the battle that took place here 200 years ago.

Each year on this date we commemorate our ancestors with a special ceremony.

Recent Examples on the Web

This holiday not only commemorates Prince’s legacy but also serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, inviting the community to reflect on the complexities of their history and the resilience of those who fought for freedom. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024

Dallas and Denton are commemorating Día de los Muertos a little early this year. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024

In 2017, the California State Senate commemorated the life of the late left-wing activist and lawmaker Tom Hayden. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

The new Eau de parfum commemorates the romantic moment with a fresh twist on a classic fall spice. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin commemoratus, past participle of commemorare, from com- + memorare to remind of, from memor mindful — more at memory

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

commemorate

verb

com·​mem·​o·​rate kə-ˈmem-ə-ˌrāt 

commemorated; commemorating

1

: to call to remembrance

2

: to mark by a ceremony

3

: to be a memorial of

a plaque that commemorates the event

commemorator

-ˌrāt-ər 

noun