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

To honor her late partner, Simone incorporates his memory into the celebrations by bringing a photo of him to the table at Christmas and lighting a memorial candle. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

After attending the memorial drinks in Jason’s honor, Wallace tells Helen that nobody seems to have known Jason particularly well. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

It’s also segued into a sobering new act of event-hosting — memorials. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe and Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX) got into a verbal altercation about the presence of the acting director during the 9/11 memorial during a hearing focused on President-elect Donald Trump’s assassination attempt. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Dec. 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