memento
noun
Libby Lubin
Did you know?
In Latin, memento is the imperative form (meaning it is used as a command) of meminisse, a verb that means “to remember.” (The term memento mori, which refers to a reminder of mortality, translates literally as “remember that you must die,” for example). The history of memento makes it clear where its spelling came from, but because a memento often helps one remember a particular moment, people occasionally spell the term momento. This is typically considered a misspelling, but it appears often enough in edited prose (including the work of such esteemed authors as George Eliot and Dylan Thomas) to have been entered in most dictionaries as an acceptable variant spelling.
Examples of memento in a Sentence
Austin Meek, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, that memento is lost to time.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Once used to break down a language barrier and celebrate a new Colombian employee, the paper and flag are now mementos of Alejandro Toro Sepulveda.
—Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
Over-Styling Your Shelves Styling your shelves with personal mementos, vintage treasures, and more can give your home an eclectic aesthetic—but don't overdo it.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for memento
Cite this Entry
“Memento.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memento. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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memento
noun
