memorial

1 of 2

adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl 

1

: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative

a memorial plaque

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

a war memorial

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 of memorial

Adjective

• commemorative
• commemorating

Noun

• reminder
• monument

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

Interstate 95 and other major roads will be closed for hours Wednesday during the procession and memorial service in honor of Miami Beach Officer David Cajuso, according to officials. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2025

The Fort Worth City Council unanimously approved a memorial marker agreement that will allow the Texas Department of Transportation to place signs honoring Nava along the section of Loop 820 between Interstate 35W and Marine Creek Parkway. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2025

Noun

The Cenotaph is a reference to the London war memorial where the National Service of Remembrance, the national commemoration for Remembrance Sunday (attended by the King and other working royals) is held each year. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

Cheney and his daughter were the only Republicans who attended a memorial the following year at the Capitol. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 4 Nov. 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