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

The expectant mom announced her pregnancy during her late husband and brother-in-law Matthew's memorial service back in September. —Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025

The memorial Mass will start at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 43148 Mission Blvd., Fremont. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025

Noun

The central portion of the memorial will contain a reflection pool where the club’s dance floor was located. —Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025

Not quite 24 hours later, Duarte Matarese found herself in front of the West York Borough Police Department visiting a memorial of flowers, candles and balloons set up by community members. —Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for memorial

• arboreal
• armorial
• authorial
• factorial
• manorial
• pictorial
• sartorial
• sectorial
• tutorial
• vectorial
• ambassadorial
• combinatorial

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