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

That was Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, and J.D. Vance putting aside politics for a moment this week to attend the memorial service on the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. —ABC News, 15 Sep. 2024

Along the way, Hudson lent her voice to some of the most significant events in American culture, notching performances at the Academy Awards, the Emmys, two Super Bowls, Michael Jackson’s memorial service and Pope Francis’ first visit to America. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 Sep. 2024

Noun

Although Grant did not return for that movie, Bridget attends a memorial for her ex, who is presumed dead after a plane crash. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2024

Walmart provided a $1 million grant in 2019 to develop the memorial. —Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Sep. 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