mention

1 of 2

noun

men·​tion ˈmen(t)-shən 

1

: the act or an instance of citing or calling attention to someone or something especially in a casual or incidental manner

There was hardly a mention of the plan's possible dangers.

2

: formal citation (see citation sense 3) for outstanding achievement

The journalist received special mention for her reportage on the recent advances in cancer research.

mention

2 of 2

verb

mentioned; mentioning ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to make mention of : refer to

also : to cite for outstanding achievement

mentionable

ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nə-bəl 

adjective

mentioner

ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nər 

noun

Phrases

not to mention

: not even yet counting or considering : and notably in addition

a proposal that's risky and expensive, not to mention unethical

Synonyms

Noun

• acknowledgment
• acknowledgement
• citation
• commendation

Verb

• advert (to)
• cite
• drop
• instance
• name
• note
• notice
• quote
• refer (to)
• specify
• touch (on or upon)

Examples of mention in a Sentence

Noun

In her speech, she carefully avoided any mention of her costar.

There was barely a mention of the plan's possible dangers.

The mere mention of blood makes me ill.

I get nervous at the mention of his name.

Her contributions deserve a mention.

One other issue deserves special mention.

Verb

She's never mentioned anything to me about her husband.

I get nervous every time his name is mentioned.

They mentioned him by name.

I believe I mentioned the problem to you last week.

Most history books don't even mention the event.

As previously mentioned, his proposal has been widely criticized.

He fails to mention, however, the seriousness of the crime.

She mentioned that she would be out of the office the following day.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After last week’s column, critics showed up in my social media mentions and email inbox, stating, essentially, that country music is for white people alone. —Andrea Williams, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

This story contains mention of possible domestic violence. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

Not to mention the harm to Disney’s and ABC’s image by trying to withstand Trump broadsides during his second term. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

On social media, the department has avoided mentioning flu shots in posts about the flu, instead advising people to wash their hands and cover their coughs. —Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English mencioun, from Anglo-French mencion, from Latin mention-, mentio; akin to Latin meminisse to remember, ment-, mens mind

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mention

• don't mention it
• honorable mention
• make mention of
• make no mention of
• mention only in passing
• not to mention
• too numerous to mention

Kids Definition

mention

1 of 2 noun

men·​tion ˈmen-chən 

: a brief or passing reference to something

mention

2 of 2 verb

mentioned; mentioning ˈmench-(ə-)niŋ 

: to refer to or speak about briefly

mentionable

ˈmench-(ə-)nə-bəl 

adjective